Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been named as an assistant coach for the team's T20 series against Sri Lanka in February in an interim capacity, and will work alongside Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie.

The trio have been brought in with the core of Australia's support staff set to be in India for the four-Test series. Gillespie was appointed to the staff last week. 

This is Ponting’s first official involvement with Australian cricket since retirement.

He said,

“

I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved and what better way to do it than alongside a couple of my best mates in cricket, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie, We have some incredible Twenty20 talent in this country and I can't wait to work with JL, Dizzy and those selected to have a real crack at doing special for Australia's Twenty20 International ambitions.

”

 
The 42-year-old previously coached the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, leading the T20 side to a championship in 2015.

Ponting captained Australia in the first Twenty20 international –  against New Zealand in 2005 – and also led the side during the 2007 and 2009 T20 World Cups.

Australia will take on Sri Lanka in three Twenty20 Internationals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 17, Kardinia Park in Geelong on February 19 and the final match at the Adelaide Oval on February 22.

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