Australia are a “drastically different” team to the outfit that got drubbed 5-0 by England last summer, according to their assistant coach and two-time World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting.
Ponting worked with Australia last summer and has rejoined the group for the World Cup, assisting Justin Langer.
Since that series they have welcomed back Steve Smith and David Warner from ball-tampering bans as well as quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, and look set to be a far tougher prospect than last summer.
They play England on Saturday in a warm-up at the Ageas Bowl, while they beat the West Indies by seven wickets on Wednesday. Ponting says the group reminds him of sides he played in.
“The feeling around the group is drastically different to what it was 12 months ago for that series over here,” he said.
“You can just tell that they’re a really happy group, they’re enjoying being around one another and enjoying being together. That’s a standout, and a trademark of great sides I’ve been involved with in the past.
“I’m new to the group, but the feeling around the group is very familiar, similar to those I was part of as a player, so there’s some great signs there. Just that closeness.”
