With Warner and Smith, Australia is second to none at WC -Ponting

Melbourne, February 10 - Former captain Ricky Ponting on Sunday said Australia can defend the World Cup which begins later this year in England. He led the national side to a couple of triumphs in 2003 and 2007. He was also a part of the World Cup winning side in 1999.

The batting legend who has been appointed as the assistant coach of the national side for the World Cup in England this year said while India and England are the "standout" teams, Australia looks as strong as any with the addition of Steve Smith and Davis Warner who are serving one-year bans at the moment. The duo will be eligible to play again by March 29 this year.

"Absolutely," Ponting said when asked if he thought Australia could defend the title.
"I am not just saying that because I am one of the coaches, I actually said it when I wasn't around the group. Conditions in England will suit our style of play ... I think Australia will be one of the main contenders for sure," he added.

Australia also has injury concerns about speedsters Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, but Ponting shrugged it off.

"We went to World Cups with Michael Bevan injured, Darren Lehmann suspended, Warney (Shane Warne) went home and Jason Gillespie went home," Ponting remembered of his time in the tournament.

"World Cups very rarely run exactly to plan. All the planning right now is we will have all those guys in the squad and if we do, it looks as good as any squad on paper," he added.

The 2019 Cricket World Cup (officially ICC Cricket World Cup 2019) is the 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by England and Wales, from 30 May to 14 July 2019.