IPL 2022 | Ponting hopeful of key players’ availability for game against LSG

Delhi Capitals are yet to get the services of two of their marquee players, Anrich Nortje and David Warner. While the South African fast bowler Nortje hasn’t yet recovered from the back and hip injuries he sustained during the T20 world cup 2021, Warner was unavailable to play the IPL until April 6 as part of Cricket Australia’s policy.   

However, head coach Ricky Ponting has confirmed that the dynamic Australian opener will be available for their upcoming encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 7. 

Ponting has further updated on Nortje’s improved fitness by revealing that the star fast bowler is bowling with great energy in the nets and is waiting for CSA’s clearance to play his first IPL game. 

“I think David Warner has arrived in Mumbai. He left early yesterday morning, I believe, so he should be there when we get back to Mumbai tonight,” Ponting said. 

“Nortje bowled 100 per cent this morning in the warm-ups. I think he has to get through another four or five-over spell at 100 per cent capacity, and then I think if he gets clearance from Cricket South Africa, he should be right to go,” he further added. 

Apart from Nortje and Warner, Ponting also expected the Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to be available from April 10. However, he clarified that Marsh’s hip injury needs a lot of treatment and time to get appropriately healed, and therefore, he is doubtful about their face-off against LSG. 

“We are hoping that he (Marsh) is gonna be available for the game on 10th against KKR. He picked up that slight hip flexor strain in Pakistan. So, we need to get a lot of treatment work into him and obviously a few good training sessions before he is available for selection. But fingers crossed, Davey should be there for the next game and Mitch Marsh for the game after”, the DC coach said. 

When enquired about what went wrong against the Titans, Ponting said they lost three wickets in the powerplay phase, which dented their chances of chasing 172.

“On this ground, we thought it was a very chaseable total. If you are losing three wickets in the powerplay, it’s really hard to win games from there. We know that; the stats say that. That’s certainly one area that we got to get better at, getting through that powerplay. None or one down would be a nice start to a run chase”, Ponting concluded.