Ponting is also hopeful of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh overcoming his fitness issues and being available for selection soon.

Delhi Capitals are set to take the field with a stronger line-up from their next match onwards as big guns like Anrich Nortje and David Warner are likely to be available for selection. The same was confirmed by the team’s head coach Ricky Ponting following Delhi’s 14-run defeat against Gujarat Titans on Saturday. Ponting is also hopeful of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh overcoming his fitness issues and being available for selection soon.

For the unversed, there has been a mystery around Nortje’s back and hip injury as he hasn’t played competitive cricket since November last year. However, Ponting revealed that the South African speedster has been bowling well in the nets. As far as Marsh and Warner are concerned, Cricket Australia’s contracted players can only participate in IPL 2022 after April 6.

As DC’s next assignment is against Lucknow Super Giants on April 7, Warner can feature in that fixture. While Marsh is most likely to miss that fixture amid his hip strain, Ponting expects the all-rounder to be available after the LSG clash.

“Nortje bowled 100% this morning in the warm-ups. I think he has to get through another may be four or five-over spell at 100% capacity and then I think if he gets clearance from Cricket South Africa, he should be right to go. We have got a few more days before our next game [against Lucknow Super Giants on April 7], so hopefully, he is available for selection for that one,” Ponting told reporters after DC’s defeat to GT.

“I think David Warner has arrived in Mumbai. He left early yesterday morning I believe, so he should be there when we get back to Mumbai tonight. Mitchell Marsh has been in Mumbai for a few days, obviously getting his quarantine done. I think he might be out of quarantine tomorrow actually,” he added.

As mentioned above, Ponting is also optimist.