Melbourne, May 27 (IANS) The success in the Indian Premier league (IPL) with Mumbai Indians notwithstanding, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting would not be tempted into abandoning his Big Bash League (BBL) commentary commitments for a more involved move into coaching.
Trevor Bayliss’s move to England as their head coach has created two big vacancies — one coaching New South Wales (NSW) and the other leading the reigning BBL champions Sydney Sixers, Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday.
Ponting’s status as one of the most respected tacticians in Australian cricket was reinforced by his leading Mumbai to the IPL title on Sunday, in his first season as coach and, therefore, he has garnered quite an interest from teams now wanting him to lead their outfit.
“You never say never, as far as these bigger jobs are concerned, and all of a sudden … with a few wins for the team in the IPL … people are starting to talk about me being a future international coach, or whatever else,” said Ponting.
While Ponting relished the two months he spent leading Mumbai, it is believed it did not sufficiently whet his appetite for coaching to break his commentary commitments with Sky Sports in England for the Ashes and for Channel Ten for the BBL to chase either or both of the NSW and Sixers jobs.
Furthermore, he and his family are well settled in Melbourne, having relocated from Sydney immediately after his retirement.
Channel Ten head of sport Dave Barham said he expected NSW and Sixers would be keen to gauge Ponting’s interest in their coaching vacancies.
Barham said Ponting was contracted to be part of its BBL coverage until at least the 2016-17 season, having extended his initial two-year deal about a year ago.
“He’s definitely staying with us for the next two years. There’s no issues with that, that’s great,” he said.
Irrespective of that contract, Barham said Ponting was keen to continue his commentary duties with Ten.