Ponting Announces Retirement

[sifter132]

It's Conn and Craddock. They kept writing articles bashing Ponting about his 3 lack of scores and his weird falling wicket didn't help either.

Yes indeed...have ZERO time for these guys, they are just itching for guys they don't like to fail or get injured so they can write another smug piece. Shane Watson is a regular target as well. But guys like Wade and Quiney didn't get a mention from these jokers despite having 2 ordinary Tests as well. Must be on the 'approved' list.

Oh well...here's hoping to see some vintage Ponting today. Wasn't a particularly good sign sending out Lyon as nightwatchman with 25 minutes to go though - that's a pretty long session for a nightwatchman.

 

[Satan666]

A very very very good batsman and cricketer overall, fielded expertly and even bowled regularly in his earlier days.

Probably the standout batsman since Lara left the game. I will be forever grateful to live through his playing career. With Lara he is the best batsman of the modern era, still think he is cutting his playing days short. I am sure AUS will win this the third test a fitting honour for Ponting.

All the best Punter I will certainly miss you with the baggy green

 

[Fenil]

Some great images I've got, as my tribute to Punter. Credits to the respective owners of the pics:

Young Ricky Ponting:

Maiden Century For Tasmania, 1993:

On Test Debut:

With David Boon:

ODI Debut:

A Champion Batsman:

An Electrifying Fielder:

A Great Captain:

The Controversies:

The Lows:

The Family Man:

A Legend:

The Fan Favorite:

Statistics Are Just Numbers:

 

[Sathish_kumar]

@Fenil: Very Good Collection!

Ricky Ponting was a very good leader of men, and showed that as captain and as a player who just loved playing cricket and loved playing cricket for Australia. Miss him!

 

[Ahmad Shah]

Ponting was really a legend! It'll be really hard for the Australian side to find some as good as he was at least in the near future. He'll always be remembered as one of Australia's all time best cricketers.

 

[War]

Think the common sentiment of Ponting is best oz batsman since bradman, needs to dialled back a bit in my view. Greg Chappell holds that accolade slightly above Punter if you really analyse their respective careers.

 

[MUFC1987]

Best Australian Batsman (I've) Ever (seen) for me.

I have to say though, I think he was an average Captain who only did really well when he had Warne and McGrath to throw the ball too. Also, I think he's the lowest form of person I've ever seen on a Cricket pitch. His antics down the years have been pathetic for me and I won't miss him. Mainly because he's retained all the bad stuff, with his ability fading away for the last few years really, which means there's nothing left to admire.

 

[Cricketman]

100 Test match wins. I am willing to bet that this will never be beat, and I think it is stat almost on the level of Bradman.

Still have nightmares about the 2003 WC final.

 

[Epic]

Bit late on all this, but, good bye Punter.

 

[Gurjot95]

God, I'll miss his classical shots and dominating performance. Very sad to hear that we no longer can watch both One down batting legends.

 

[sifter132]

Think the common sentiment of Ponting is best oz batsman since bradman, needs to dialled back a bit in my view. Greg Chappell holds that accolade slightly above Punter if you really analyse their respective careers.

I can see both sides. I'm a Punter guy, because I think his career high points and best form reached higher than Chappell's high points. But then his low points were lower than Chappell's too - depends what you value more.

Sad to see him score just 8 in his last innings, and only 32 runs in the series Oh well, we still remember the good times Ricky - really nice reception he got yesterday, from the crowd and the Saffers.

 

[War]

I can see both sides. I'm a Punter guy, because I think his career high points and best form reached higher than Chappell's high points. But then his low points were lower than Chappell's too - depends what you value more.

Hmm, well the zenith of Chappell's batting was easily those 600+ runs he scored vs west indies in those world series tests in the Caribbean, in what was essentially test matches. His general batting in word series was superb in which only barry richards averaged more than him. Also his general consistency which he averaged 40+ vs everyone he played.

Ponting's highlight is probably the Headingly 2001 (when he started batting @ # 3) - sydney 2007 period of his career.

Then of course Greg is one of few batsmen to start with a century & end with a century unlike Punters unfortunate end & last few years in his career.

 

[SaiSrini]

One thing that I enjoyed in the presence of Ricky Ponting is that fighter's spirit and the zippy edge that he and the likes of Hayden, Gilchrist, Warne, McGrath, etc brought to the contest. With these guys around, the games that I watched between India and Australia used to be so exciting and fun (I primarily watch India games only). With Ponting, you knew that if you are not good enough, he will punish you badly. One very memorable thing (initially it used to look disgusting!) was his habit of spitting saliva into his hands and rubbing them together. Now that's part of the folklore..

His Mumbai catch to dismiss Tendulkar comes to mind right now. That brought a lot of pain at that time. That's probably why I felt more happy when he struggled against Harbhajan in that classic 2001 series. Anyways, good bye Ponting! World cricket will miss you....

 

[Ashnal]

Great Collection . The years said it all. It will be interesting to see who will replace him in the side.

 

[Satan666]

Great Collection . The years said it all. It will be interesting to see who will replace him in the side.

Most likely Bailey..........