SHORT CORNER
Ponting made Australia assistant coach for WC
AFP
Former national skipper Ricky Ponting was Friday recruited to work alongside coach Justin Langer, focusing mainly on the batsmen, for the looming World Cup in England where Australia will defend their title.
The appointment of the vastly experienced Ponting, who played at five World Cups and won three, comes a day after bowling coach David Saker quit.
Ponting is a close ally of Langer, who said he was thrilled to have his friend and former colleague back in the fold.
Ponting will start after Australia's upcoming one-day tours against India and Pakistan. "I'm really excited to be joining the coaching group," he said. "I've enjoyed my previous short-term roles with the ODI and T20 teams but World Cups take on a whole different meaning for me. I have enormous confidence in the players available to the selectors and know we will be as tough to beat as any team."
I'm not getting the same chance as others, laments Isco
Agencies
Out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Isco vented his frustration over a lack of chances under Santiago Solari, claiming he is not receiving the same opportunities as his team-mates.
Isco has been frozen out by head coach Solari, with the Spain international yet to start a LaLiga match since Julen Lopetegui was sacked in October. Former Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red said the club do not wait for anyone and Isco must perform to the standards of his team-mates, drawing a response from the Spaniard on Twitter.
"I completely agree with De la Red, but when you are not getting the same opportunities as your teammates, that changes things…," Isco wrote on Twitter on Thursday. “Despite that, I'm working hard and battling for the moment when those opportunities arrive! Hala Madrid!!"
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