ANI
Former Australian cricketer and ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has disclosed his best three players of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The legendary Australian batter chose a pair of South African stars and an in-form spinner from his country.
Ponting has been impressed with the way 'Men in Blue' have performed as a team so far, however, the former World Cup-winning captain left all players from the host nation when asked to name his top three players of the tournament.
Ponting said he has been highly impressed with the bowling efforts of Zampa, who claimed 19 wickets by averaging 17.5 and managed Australia's spin department single-handedly.
The veteran Aussie great said, "It's very hard to go past Adam Zampa, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament".
"He played the first two games and took no wickets and he has bounced back and now sits up top with 18 or 19 wickets. He has been outstanding," added Ponting.
The South Africa opener has announced his retirement from the ODI after the World Cup, and his form in India has been standout in the tournament. He is the leading scorer of the tournament by scoring 545 runs averaging 77.85 per game.
"Quinton de Kock has four hundred in this World Cup and it's probably his last World Cup. It's very hard to go past him as he has led a very strong South African batting brigade," Ponting noted.
Quinton de Kock's compatriot was opted by Ponting in his final spot. The all-rounder Marco Jansen has contributed significantly with bat and ball.
Ponting said, "The last one, I'm going for another South African in Marco Jansen. What he has been able to provide South Africa with the new ball taking wickets upfront, setting up their bowling innings with Powerplay wickets, and also contributing with some handy low order runs".
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