Ponting advised for South Africa in the T20 World Cup final

The legendary Australian Ricky Ponting has shared the guidance he intends to provide the South African players as they strive to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup for the first time.

With an outstanding nine-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the opening semi-final on Wednesday, South Africa secured their spot in the T20 World Cup final. They will now play fellow undefeated team India in the championship match to try to win their first trophy at an ICC competition.

Before Saturday's one-off final in Barbados, Ponting—who has coached a few of South Africa's top players at the domestic level in the Indian Premier League and is well-known for being a big-game player after winning three ICC Men's Cricket World Cup titles for Australia—planned to get in touch with a group of Proteas and offer some advice.

Ponting said he would give the South African players a bit of straightforward advice: to enjoy the experience of competing in a T20 World Cup final.

'Many teams attempt to downplay the significance of the game by saying, 'It's just another game,' but that is not helping.' On the ICC's Digital Daily broadcast, Ponting stated that accepting things as they are is the key to success.

Since none of these players have been there before, have fun tonight and tomorrow.

'But make sure everything you do leading in is the same and your preparation is the same.'

Ponting has urged South Africa to support their talents and ability to demonstrate their abilities on the big stage, believing they can compete with India in the final.

'They don't need to try any harder or change anything because they are unbeaten thus far,' Ponting said.

'All they have to do is show up, be their best selves and their best selves as a team that day, and give themselves the greatest opportunity. If they do that, they will be hard to beat.'

South Africa Squad for T20 World Cup 2024