Australia had a poor start in the World Cup 2023 match against India as they lost the game. And, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said that they can’t afford another defeat as well. Speaking on ICC ahead of Australia’s second World Cup match vs South Africa, Ponting said this as well. Meanwhile, South Africa are coming off a massive win vs Sri Lanka where they broke many records, including the highest-ever total scored in an ODI World Cup game as well.

“Australia, to me, looked to be a fair way off the mark, to be honest, in that game against India,” Ricky Ponting said on the latest episode of The ICC Review podcast. “You can’t afford to be zip-and-two (0-2) in a World Cup. We know how important it is to finish up the top of the table.”

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The legendary player, however, said that he had faith in the squad and hoped that they would bounce back in the next game as well. He also opened up on Australia’s lone specialist spinner Adam Zampa and said that he needs to return to form if Australia are to play well in this tournament as well.

“But I’ve still got full faith in their squad. It is a very good squad, a very talented squad. We know there’s a lot of all-rounders in that side,” Ponting said. “The other thing that I probably learned is that they’re going to need Adam Zampa bowling well. It’s as simple as that,” Ponting said.

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“With only Zampa and (Glenn) Maxwell as the recognised spinners in their playing XI for that first game, then a lot of the wicket-taking onus is going to come back on Zampa. It didn’t happen in game one,” concluded Ricky Ponting.

However, Australia will take on South Africa on 12 October, Thursday as well.