Newscorp cricket writer Robert Craddock believes Glenn Maxwell will benefit from the appointment of Ricky Ponting to Australia’s backroom staff for the World Cup.
Ponting recruited Maxwell to IPL franchise the Delhi Daredevils and has been a big advocate of the all-rounder’s match-winning talents.
The former Australian captain was highly critical of Maxwell’s non-selection in the 15-man squad for the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE last October.
Craddock says Ponting is the type of personality that can extract the best out of the 29-year-old in order to boost Australia’s World Cup defence.
“Don’t underestimate having Ricky Ponting in the World Cup dressing room and what that would do for Glenn Maxwell," Craddock told SEN's Whateley.
“For all of his confidence and talk of ‘The Big Show’, Glenn is the sort of player that needs a bit of a hug and he needs to be appreciated by his coaches.
“I just think they get so much more out of him and Ponting is that player. Publicly and privately he’s always said ‘Maxwell has got it, he will be the goods’.
“It’s a significant moment in the career of Glenn Maxwell with Ponting being appointed as assistant coach at the World Cup.”
Maxwell blasted 82 off 43 balls against the Sydney Sixers to book the Melbourne Stars a BBL semi-final clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday night.
The World Cup, to be played in England and Wales, gets underway on May 30 in London.
Listen to Robert Craddock’s chat on SEN’s Whateley with Gerard Whateley in the player below