Apr 25, 2004 03:50 PM
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(Updated Apr 25, 2004 04:35 PM)
He is one of a few about whom, one can write & write & write. I’ve seen Ricky play from my early days of watching Cricket & he has influenced me a lot, particularly his “signature” flick towards the mid-wicket is so special. He is a superb stroke-maker & times the ball like the very best….. coz he is one of the best. Since the retirement of the legendry – Steve Waugh, he has been captaining the mighty talented Australian Team, which by no means is a easy job. He is successfully doing his more roles in the team than any other cricketer, as a great Captain, a vital middle order batsmen, important fieldsmen in covers or slips. Such a quality of, withstanding pressure, creates world champions.
Captaining the world champions.
Steady improvement in his own batting.
Taking the win percent of the Aussies to 86%.
Keeping fit & fielding well to maintain Aussie standards.
Mental aspects, to repeat these things continuously.
No ordinary man can grow facing so many tough situations at a time but Ricky’s career has witnessed a steady up-ward movement.
Details
Full Name Ricky Thomas Ponting
Born: 19 December 1974, Launceston, Tasmania
Major Teams: Australia, Tasmania.
Age: 30
Nicknames: Ponts, Tricky, Punter
Interest: Breeding Greyhounds
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium.
ODI Matches: 199
Test Matches: 78
No wonder he is a precious talent for Aussies to have. Ponting debuted for his state at the age of 17 & coz of his supreme performances & gifted talent, he made his International debut fairly soon.
ODI Debut: Australia v South Africa at Wellington, NZ Centenary Tournament, 1994/95.
Test Debut: Australia v Sri Lanka at Perth, 1st Test, 1995/96.
After performing very well in First-Class Cricket he made a great Test debut, only a doubtful LBW decision preventing Ponting from a debut century. He is a supremely gifted batsman and he knows it. The only thing that apparently stands between Ponting and an illustrious international career is his own temperament. This problem is not new to many of the world-champs who rule their sporting worlds.
Naturally aggressive in outlook, with nearly every shot in the book, Ponting complements his batting with brisk medium pace/swing and brilliant fielding in the point/cover region.
He has played many a great innings against quality opposition & made them shake their heads in disbelief any a times. When in full-flow can unleash a wide array of strokes to increase the agony for the bowlers. He is Tasmania's second most famous find after David Boon.
He has played many classic innings, but three of my most favorite are-
First- The Big Entrance.
The innings of 123 in a World Series Cup Match (1996), to save Australia from a dying position of 3/33, which stamped his authority over the bowlers & he was selected for the coming World Cup He displayed a maturity that recalled Tendulkar.
This innings was the big entrance of Ricky ponting in the Cricketing World.
Second- No target unreachable for him.
Yet another outstanding display of his class, temperament & ability came in the year 1998-99 against a fiery Pakistan bowling attack. The Aussies were touring Pakistan & the venue was the Gadaffi Stadium. Pakistan won the toss piled up a huge total of 315 for 8 wickets. Then it was this Ricky’s fabulous knock of 124* of 129 balls which won them the all important decider.
Third- The heart-breaking performance.
Ponting's 140 of 121 balls in the 2003 World Cup final against India in New Wanderers Stadium Australia Won by 125 Runs, a remarkable innings in its own right, also epitomized how he has flourished with added responsibilities of leadership. That aspect of his game was further tested in early 2004, when he succeeded Waugh as Test captain,
And immediately led his side to a 3-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka - a country that even Waugh himself had failed to conquer.
And as they say “ Talent does what it can do & genius does what it must do.” No wonder he is a cricketing genius who has set many milestones in his career, which he can proudly re-experience with family & friends……………... BUT he is not retired yet & will play more & achieve more. So Good Luck to all the bowlers. He is a cricketing legend, who will provide all of us with more & more entertainment.
