Ricky Ponting Set to Take Charge as Welsh Fire Head Coach Ahead of The Hundred 2026
Former Australia captain and cricket legend Ricky Ponting is set to become the head coach of Welsh Fire for the next season of The Hundred, according to British media. Reports say the franchise has picked Ponting as their top choice and will soon begin talks with him. If all goes well, he is expected to take charge before the 2026 edition of the tournament.
Currently, Ponting is the head coach of Punjab Kings in the IPL and Washington Freedom in the US Major League Cricket (MLC). Earlier this year, Freedom’s owners bought a 50% stake in Welsh Fire in a deal worth £40 million (around ₹4,320 crore). Welsh Fire now plan to revamp their coaching team after three seasons under fellow Australian Mike Hussey took over in 2023 following Gary Kirsten’s exit.
Mike Hussey gave Welsh Fire a strong start leading them to their best-ever finish of fourth place in his first season, narrowly missing an Eliminator spot because of net run rate. But the team has struggled since and ended up last this year. Ricky Ponting, meanwhile comes with an impressive record, he led Mumbai Indians to the IPL title in 2015 and spent seven years with Delhi Capitals taking them to the playoffs three times.
Near Miss in 2025 MLC Final Against MI New York
Ricky Ponting led Washington Freedom to their first-ever MLC title in 2024 and came very close to winning again this year losing a close final to MI New York. In the past, Ponting has been approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for coaching jobs in The Hundred especially in 2019, but nothing worked out.
He was also considered to take over as England’s white-ball coach in 2024, but he decided not to saying the job would take too much time. From 1995 to 2012, Ponting played 560 matches for Australia and earned his reputation as a great captain.
