Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting caution Australia against Sri Lanka trio

Australia were humbled by New Zealand (Source: AP)

Australia succumbed to a humiliating defeat in their T20 World Cup 2022 opener against New Zealand and now the hosts are left with their backs to the wall.

They will need to win their next game against Sri Lanka in order to enhance their chances of making it to the semis of the tournament. 

Former World Cup winners and Australian legends Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting have now weighed in on how the players can transform their fortunes in the tournament and get their campaign going with a win over the Lankan Lions. 

Gilchrist said to the ICC website that the team will need to sort out any off-field issues they have. While he maintains that the players might not be affected by them, it is still a situation that needs addressing. 

“It’s not the ideal situation the Australians find themselves in, a lot to think about, a lot to ponder on that opening performance, and it’s win at all costs to stay alive.

“Honesty: I guess that’s the key thing, making sure if there is any little off-field issues, of which there are a few now for the Australians, they’ve got a bit to identify and work out.

"And maybe it’s not affecting them at all, but they just need to make sure they have clear heads as they lead into this next game.”

Meanwhile, Ponting has urged the Australian pacers to use the short-pitched delivery more often as it could be a wicket-taking delivery or a dot ball. He believes that the short-pitched delivery is underused in T20I cricket and the Aussies should look to use it more often.

"I actually think it's an underused ball full stop in T20 cricket. If you’ve got enough pace, use your one an over.

"It’s a wicket-taking delivery, if not, more often than not it’s a dot ball anyway and it’s a way to just get the batsman thinking about, not lobbing onto the front foot and thinking they can just smack you back down the ground.

“It’ll be a tactic I think for the Australians right through this tournament with (Mitchell) Starc, (Pat) Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Marus) Stoinis and even Marsh, and if (Cameron) Green plays, I reckon you’ll see all those guys use pretty much their quota of short balls right the way through.”

Further, the Australian World Cup winning captain outlined the main threats from the Sri Lanka squad. He believes that Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga will be the danger men. 

Also Read: Ricky Ponting highlights similarities between Rishabh Pant with Adam Gilchrist