Former  Australia captain Ricky Ponting will serve as an assistant coach for Australia during next month’s Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka. Ponting will work alongside Justin Langer, who will be the head coach for the three-match campaign, and Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie, who will also assist Langer for the series, which starts in Melbourne on 17 February before heading to Geelong (20 February) and Adelaide (22 February).

“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,” Ponting said.

“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 something special for Australia’s Twenty20 international ambitions.”

Ponting captained Australia in the first T20 international against New Zealand in 2005, as well as two World T20 tournaments in 2007 and 2009.

He also coached the Mumbai Indians to the Indian Premier League title in his first season in charge.

Ponting’s playing career ended in 2013 – the final leg of which was a season with the Antigua Hawksbills in the Caribbean Premier League.