Ricky Ponting previously worked as an assistant with Australia’s T20I side in 2017 and 2018. © AFP Newly-appointed assistant coach Ricky Ponting believes that Australia can successfully defend their World Cup title in England this year with Steve Smith and David Warner back in the fray. Ponting’s assessment comes despite the misfiring team losing their two most recent One-day International (ODI) series at home, to India and South Africa. “Absolutely, I actually do,” Ponting said on Sunday. Smith and Warner, who are serving one-year bans for ball-tampering, will be available for selection from March 29.Cameron Bancroft, who was suspended for nine months, is already back playing.”India and England are probably the two standout teams right now but if you add Warner and Smith back into that lineup, I think that team looks as strong as any.”Conditions in England will suit our style of play,” added Ponting, who was appointed on Friday as assistant to coach Justin Langer for the World Cup, focusing on the batting group.The former national captain is hugely experienced in the one-day game, playing at five World Cups and winning at three.”I think I have a pretty good grasp on what it takes for tournaments like that,”…