Smith’s spot in the squad of 15 isn’t the only query surrounding the set-up of the Australian team in the lead-up to this year’s T20 World Cup, with the role of captain still up for grabs following Aaron Finch’s retirement from the job at the end of 2022.

Marsh has been given the chance to captain the side during recent series against the West Indies and New Zealand, while Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins and veteran keeper Matthew Wade have also been utilised in the crucial role in recent times.

But Ponting thinks Marsh is the right person for the job and expects it will only be a matter of time before the 32-year-old is announced as Australia’s new T20 captain on a full-time basis.

“I think he will (be T20I captain) and I think he deserves it as well as he has matured a lot as a player,” Ponting declared.

“He’s certainly a leader of men, which hasn’t only been just the last few months. I remember, five or six years ago when Justin Langer took over as the coach of the Australian team, he actually named Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head as joint vice-captains of the Test team.

“So leadership has always been in the back of the selectors’ minds as far as Mitchell Marsh is concerned.

“I think you want continuity around that role. Pat’s not going to play potentially all those T20 games throughout the season leading into a World Cup. The fast bowlers are probably always going to be rotated more than what the top-order batsmen are. So I think for continuity purposes and the fact that Mitch’s record when he’s captain is very good, I think he will be the captain going forward.”