(REUTERS) – The presence of former captain Ricky Ponting in the side will help Australia move forward and put their World Cup disappointment behind them, the team’s new vice-captain Shane Watson has said.
“I think we had no choice on what Ricky thought and his decision. But it’s as good a time as any to be able to start a new leadership group,” Watson said.
“I think it is absolutely brilliant that Ricky still continues to play on because of the immense talent that he has got and the record he has.
“Having his experience around the group is very important for our development moving forward. I think it’s perfect timing in developing as a new group.”
Australia will enter a new era under new captain Michael Clarke and Watson when they take on Bangladesh in a series of three one-day internationals, beginning on April 9 in Dhaka.
Ponting, Australia’s most successful captain, stepped down after the team’s quarter-final exit at the World Cup in March, but opted to continue as a player and was included in the squad for Bangladesh tour.
Coach Tim Nielsen agreed with Watson that Ponting had an important role to play in this period of transition.
“Michael had done a little bit of captaincy before but Shane hadn’t necessarily been involved in the leadership group at all. So it will be excellent for both of them to have Ricky’s experience, cricket knowledge and his competitiveness,” he said.
“It will be something we need to manage and we need to make sure that he gets the opportunity to put forward his opinion and we can utilise that as much as we can.
“At the same time (we need to) make sure Michael and Shane have the opportunity to run the side as they like and take the team to a new direction.”
Watson said any change in direction would not be too dramatic while they seek to pick themselves up after their World Cup exit as defending champions.
“There is not going to be any drastic change,” he said. “Hopefully I can contribute and Michael Clarke can contribute to help us to play a more consistent cricket.
“We have got three games in Bangladesh with a new captain that will add a slightly new dynamic to our team. I think it’s really an exciting phase in Australian cricket.”