Australia’s early exit from the T20 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from Ricky Ponting, who pointed to injuries, poor form and lack of impact from senior players as the main reasons behind the failure. He also feels Glenn Maxwell may have already played his final global tournament.
Australia were knocked out before their last group match against Oman on Friday. Heavy losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka ended their hopes. The team had done well in bilateral cricket through much of 2025. But they arrived at the World Cup after five straight defeats to India and Pakistan. Injuries also weakened the squad.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missed the trip to Sri Lanka. Their absence hurt the bowling attack. Mitchell Starc had already retired from the format last year. Tim David was eased in after a hamstring injury and had not played since Boxing Day before the Zimbabwe game. Maxwell and Cooper Connolly struggled for form. Cameron Green also came under pressure.
“It’s been a really poor campaign, it has to be said,” Ponting told the ICC Review. “They had some injury concerns at the start with Hazlewood and Cummins being ruled out and then Tim David not available right at the start as well. But I think just losing to Zimbabwe like they did, that’s going to be the game that they’re going to think back and think like that’s our World Cup gone, there and then.”
“You look at that Australian team on paper, it just doesn’t look to have that sort of aura around it that a lot of other Australian teams have going into ICC events and World Cups,” Ponting added. “You need to have your best players and your most experienced players standing up and winning big moments for you in these tournaments if you want to go ahead and win, and Australia haven’t had that.”
He also questioned the batting returns from the top order.
“They probably haven’t got enough out of their top order batting with Cameron Green at No. 3, and then Tim David coming in at No. 4 for the last couple of games. They went off to a great start the other night [against Sri Lanka] and then to lose six for 20… taking no momentum at all into the second part of the game.”
Looking ahead to the next cycle leading to the 2028 Olympics and the T20 World Cup that Australia will co host with New Zealand, Ponting believes most players still have a chance to stay. However, he doubts Maxwell will continue.
“Glenn Maxwell, I don’t think will be there,” he said. “I think it looks to me like his career is coming towards an end. Marcus Stoinis would also probably be a question mark, but he’s predominantly playing only T20 cricket tournaments around the world these days.”
“Doesn’t play a lot of state cricket and obviously plays the BBL, so with his all round ability, he might be there.”
“Steve Smith has been very vocal about him wanting to be a part of an Olympic team as well. Whether or not that happens is a different story.”
