Currently serving as a commentator in India, Ricky Ponting has had a front-row seat to the thrilling action of the World Cup. As the group stage reaches its climax, the former World Cup-winning captain has been particularly impressed with India’s team cohesion. However, when asked to name his top three performers of the tournament, he chose to exclude players from the host nation.
Adam Zampa (Australia): The Spin Maestro
19 wickets with an average of 17.15
Adam Zampa, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, has won Ponting’s admiration for his exceptional bowling skills. Zampa has been the linchpin of Australia’s spin department, delivering consistent performances throughout the tournament.
“Adam Zampa has been hard to overlook. Despite a slow start with no wickets in the first two games, he has bounced back impressively and now leads the wicket tally with 18 or 19 wickets. His performance has been nothing short of outstanding,” Ponting remarked.
Quinton de Kock (South Africa): The Run Machine
545 runs with an average of 77.85
South African opener Quinton de Kock, who plans to retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup, has been in stellar form. With four centuries under his belt, de Kock has been a formidable force at the top of South Africa’s batting order.
“Quinton de Kock has been exceptional in this World Cup, scoring four centuries. Considering this is likely his last World Cup, it’s hard to overlook his contribution. He has been the backbone of a very strong South African batting line-up,” Ponting observed.
Marco Jansen (South Africa): The All-Rounder Prodigy
16 wickets with an average of 20.06 and 143 runs with an average of 47.66
Marco Jansen, another South African player, has caught Ponting’s eye with his all-round performance. The tall all-rounder has made significant contributions with both bat and ball, proving to be a valuable asset for his team.
“For the third spot, I’m going with another South African, Marco Jansen. His ability to take wickets with the new ball, set up their bowling innings with Powerplay wickets, and contribute with some handy lower-order runs has been impressive,” Ponting concluded.