The ODI World Cup 2023 has been a cricketing spectacle like no other and has captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts around the world with thrilling performances, nail-biting contests, and unforgettable moments.
Amidst the excitement, former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, a legendary figure in the world of cricket, recently revealed his top three players of the world event. Ponting’s choices came as a surprise to some as he didn’t pick any player from the top-ranked Indian team.
Ricky Ponting’s extraordinary cricketing career
Regarded as one of the greatest batters in the history of the sport, Ponting has achieved remarkable success both as a player and as a captain. He led Australia to two ODI World Cup titles and left an indelible mark on the game. With 375 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 168 Test matches under his belt, Ponting scored a staggering total of 27,082 runs across both formats, which included an impressive 71 international centuries.
Ricky Ponting’s top three picks
First pick:
In a discussion with ICC, Ponting’s first choice for the best player of the ODI World Cup 2023 is none other than Australian spinner Adam Zampa. The performance of Zampa has been nothing short of outstanding in the ongoing tournament. Initially going wicketless in the first two games, he made a remarkable comeback, now sitting atop the list of leading wicket-takers in the tournament with 19 crucial wickets. His ability to turn the ball and deceive batters with his variations has been a game-changer for Australia.
“It’s very hard to go past Adam Zampa, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. He played the first two games and took no wickets and he has bounced back now sits up top with 18 or 19 wickets. He has been outstanding,” said Ponting.
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Second pick
The second player on Ponting’s list is the sensational South African opener Quinton de Kock. De Kock has been a revelation in the ODI World Cup 2023, consistently delivering remarkable performances. He has left cricket fans in awe with his incredible batting displays, hammering an astonishing four centuries during the tournament.
Ponting emphasized De Kock’s contributions by stating, “Quinton de Kock has four hundreds in this World Cup, and it’s probably his last World Cup. It’s very hard to go past him as he has led a very strong South African batting brigade.”
Third pick
For his third and final selection, Ponting turned to another South African in the form of the rising star Marco Jansen. It is worth mentioning that Jansen has been a thorn in the side of opposition batters throughout the ODI World Cup 2023. His ability to generate pace and extract bounce from the wickets has made him a nightmare for batters. Jansen’s presence in the South African bowling lineup has been a game-changer, contributing significantly to their success in the tournament.
“The last one, I’m actually going for another South African in Marco Jansen,” Ponting concluded.
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