NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting asserted that the home side needs a strong performance from Steve Smith to lead the five-Test Ashes, starting on Friday in Perth.
With Pat Cummins sidelined for the opening Test because of a back injury - and his availability for the second match in Brisbane still uncertain - Australia will again turn to Smith to lead the team.
Ponting believes Smith will thrive with the armband back on. Smith’s numbers as skipper are striking - he averages 68.98 when leading, almost 13 runs higher than his overall career mark of 56.02. In comparison, his average drops to 49.90 in matches where he isn’t the captain.
"I think his (batting) record as captain is better than it is as a player anyway, " Ponting said in the latest episode of The ICC Review.