RICKY Ponting said he is ready to put his growing reputation as a cricket coach on the line again as his Mumbai Indians finalise preparations for their Indian Premier League title defence.
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Having turned the franchise from wood spooners to champions in the space of a year and spent another season commentating on his home nation’s Big Bash League, the Mowbray batsman has become a sought-after oracle in cricket’s Twenty20 format.
"Since I arrived last week we have had some tough training sessions and I'm really excited at the way the boys have been preparing,” Ponting said from the Mumbai Indians training camp.
"Over the next couple of days the crux of our squad will arrive and we can start the final preparations from then on and hopefully improve on our start last season."
It's almost like I'm living out my playing days out there again
- Ricky Ponting
Having started last season with one win from six games, Mumbai turned things around in style to run away with the title and Ponting is working hard to ensure complacency doesn’t creep in for the reigning champions.
"It doesn't really matter what happened last year now, it's about us putting together a competitive team and making sure we’re ready to go for the first game.
"We thought they were ready to go for the first game last year but it took a little while for us to click into gear."
The Cricket Australia website reported that the former Tasmanian captain spent four hours in the Mumbai sun assisting batsmen and fine-tuning fielding.
"I'm a very hands-on coach," he said. "It's almost like I'm living out my playing days out there again. I love the technical and mental side of batting.
"I've got some great staff around me as well in Jonty [Rhodes] and Bondy [Shane Bond]. I make sure they look after their own departments.
"Obviously, as a head coach I have the final say and I like to get out there and do as much coaching as I can."
