Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has blamed poor form and persistent fitness problems for his country’s poor T20 World Cup campaign, while suggesting that all-rounder Glenn Maxwell may have played his final World Cup.
Following heavy defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Australia were knocked out of the tournament with one more group-stage game against Oman on Friday.
Despite dominating bilateral cricket for much of 2025, they entered the World Cup on the back of five consecutive defeats to India and Pakistan, with injuries further weakening their squad.
The absence of key pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the tour to Sri Lanka has reduced the pace of the bowling attack significantly. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc has already retired from last year’s form.
Power-hitter Tim David, who was carefully managed in the early stages of the tournament due to a hamstring injury, did not play any cricket from Boxing Day until the clash against Zimbabwe.
There were also concerns over the form of Maxwell and young batsman Cooper Connolly, while scrutiny has intensified around Cameron Green.
“It was a very poor campaign, it has to be said,” Ponting told the ICC review.
“Hazellwood and Cummins were out and they had injuries early on and then Tim David wasn’t available for the start. But to lose the way they did to Zimbabwe – they’ll look back on that game and think that’s where they lost their World Cup.”
Ponting added that the current Australian team lacks the leadership presence traditionally associated with their teams in ICC tournaments.
“You look at that Australian team on paper and it doesn’t look like other Australian teams have gone to ICC events and World Cups. You need your best and most experienced players to stand up and win big moments in these tournaments and Australia didn’t get that.”
He also pointed out the problems in the batting line-up. “They didn’t get enough from the top order with Cameron Greene at No.3 and Tim David at No.4 in the last two games. They got off to a great start against Sri Lanka but then went 6 for 20 and completely lost momentum in the second half of the innings.”
Looking ahead to the next two-year cycle until 2028 – which includes the Olympics and the next T20 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand – Ponting is not calling for sweeping changes.
However, he hinted that Maxwell’s international T20 career could be nearing its end.
“I don’t think Glenn Maxwell will be there,” Ponting said. “I feel like his life is coming to an end.”
Marcus Stoinis also faces uncertainty, though he said his all-round skills and regular participation in global T20 leagues, including the Big Bash League, could keep him in contention.
As for Steve Smith – who was recalled to the squad following Mitchell Marsh’s injury and then included as Hazlewood’s replacement – Ponting said his future in the format remains uncertain, despite Batter’s public desire to be part of Australia’s Olympic ambitions.
“Steve Smith has been very vocal about wanting to make the Olympic team. Whether that happens is another story,” Ponting concluded.