Accolades pour in as Ricky Ponting retires

Accolades pour in as Ricky Ponting retires

Mangalore Today/ ITV

Perth, Nov 29: Australia batting great Ricky Ponting Thursday decided to call time on his illustrious career post the final Test against South Africa here, the place where he made his Test debut in 1995, drawing rich tributes from the cricketing world. Ponting told reporters here that the match starting Friday would be his 168th and last.

 

"It struck me only a few weeks ago that my preparation was good as it’d been. But my performance hadn’t been good enough for the team. I’m very comfortable with the decision I’ve made. Timing-wise it’s the right time, at the end of a series. There’s not much more I can give," said Ponting.

"My immediate focus now and I know the team’s immediate focus is what we’re presented with tomorrow. We’re going into what I believe is almost a grand final. I’m hungrier than ever and want this win probably more than any game I’ve ever played in. Ironically this is where it all started (Perth) for me and it’s where it’s going to finish."

The Tasmanian has an astonishing record scoring 13,366 Test runs in 167 Tests at an average of 52.21. He is the second highest run scorer behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar. Ponting, who turns 38 Dec 19, also has 41 centuries with a highest of 257.

 

He also played 375 One-Day Internationals (ODI) scoring 13,704 runs at an average of 42.03, including 30 centuries.Fondly known as "Punter", his captaincy record is impressive except that he could not retain the Ashes more than once and that led to his ouster soon after the last series against England in Australia, paving the way for Michael Clarke.

"The decision was based on my results. In this series so far they have not been up to the level required of players in the Australian team. I’m glad I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms," added Ponting, who led Australia to two World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007.

Commenting on his predecessor skipper Clarke broke down and said, "I didn’t have a feeling it was coming. Ricky spoke to me after the Adelaide Test match, he’d made his decision over the last few days. The boys are obviously hurt. He’s been an amazing player for a long time."

Tributes started flowing in from other former greats and teammates. Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne hailed Punter. "Well done Punter on an incredible career. It would be great to see you finish with a ton. It was an honour to play alongside of you. #legend," tweeted McGrath, who won three World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007 with Ponting.

 

Former left-handed opener Hayden said: "Punter, congratulations on a fantastic career. Your departure will be a massive hole in the Australian Cricket team."
Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne said: "Congrats to Ricky Ponting on an amazing career, well done Punter... Enjoy your last match in Perth buddy, was a pleasure playing with you!"

Among his cricketing rivals, England’s Kevin Pietersen also complimented the Australian great. "Ricky Ponting RETIRES.... ONE OF THE GREATS! I always got excited playing AUS, so I could watch him bat up close. Well done Punter!" said Pietersen on Twitter.

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan saluted him. "The best batsman I had the privilege to play against ... Australia cricket will not be the same without him. Ricky was a very underestimated bowler as well. Quicker than he looks!" said Vaughan.

Among Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Bishan Singh Bedi also wished him the best. "Ricky ponting what an absolute legend. I am glad I had the honour of playing against him. Take a bow," said Kohli. "Tall Tasmanian calls it a day-R Ponting truly Great,Competitive, Proud wearer of baggy green-pld more than 100 Tests winning side-super feat," said Bedi.



Should Sachin follow in the footsteps of Ponting?

New Delhi: India’s greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar was  practising at the MCA Academy at BKC, Mumbai, as news came in about Australian player Ricky Ponting announcing his retirement from international cricket, with Michael Clarke finding it difficult to hold back his tears at a press conference.
Sachin was practising with Team India players Zaheer Khand and Ajinkya Rahane. Sachin played against four pacers - Zaheer, Paras Mhambre, Jagdish Chavan and a local player. 

 

Only one left arm spinner was there at the nets, and while playing against the spinner it was being noticed that Sachin’s arm opened and he was being bowled out.

The 64,000-dollar question is: Should Sachin follow Ponting’s footsteps and retire?  As speculations are gaining momentum about the  Indian legend’s career, experts point out to several unnerving facts.

His last Test century came against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2011 and after that he scored 80 against Australia in Sydney.   And since then his scores read: 15, 8, 25, 13, 19, 17, 27, 13, 8 and 8. 

 

Sachin has been having a string of failures recently, particularly in the first two cricket Tests against England at home.  He  is set to play the third Test against England starting in Kolkata from December 5 as the BCCI pins hope on the master blaster coming good definitely this time.

The champion  batsman may bounce back as in his good old days for sure, the Indian Cricket Board asserts. For all purpose, for him too the third Test is going to be now or never. 

 

A few months ago, there was a raging debate about Tendulkar’s technique and reflexes when he was repeatedly getting bowled off the seamers. It was argued that age was finally catching up with the cricketing icon. 
His performance somewhere down the lane is bound to create about his ability to be the same potent force that he used to be. It is ironical that one of Tendulkar’s most illustrious contemporaries, Ricky Ponting, is also going through a similar phase, and probably that is  why he  called it a day.
The 38-year-old batsman has played with dignity and his aura as a cricketer can hardly be matched by anyone. He is one of the few players who are respected by fans of the opposing team. For a man who had played cricket for so long with his head held high, he should not give anyone a chance to point fingers at him and hold him responsible should India meet  the same fate as  the last season in England and Australia.

Sachin singlehandedly  changed the face of Indian cricket and players like him come once in a lifetime. But then his slump in form does indicate that the time has come to draw curtains on his illustrious career.