Profile of Ricky Ponting by CricketArchive

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Player:

RT Ponting

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DateLine: 26th September 2006

 

RICKY PONTING: The amazing run of big scores he has notched up in the last year or so has confirmed Ricky Ponting’s stature as one of the leading batsmen in the game today. On rankings he is No 1 and few would argue with that exalted status. He has hit four double centuries in Tests making him only the third Australian after Don Bradman and Greg Chappell to do so. He has hit a century in each innings three times - a feat accomplished only by India’s Sunil Gavaskar. But he did this in the space of only eight Tests all during the 2005-06 season. And one such double feat was notched up in his 100th Test – a fitting tribute to a cricketer who rises to the occasion. He was the leading run getter in Tests and ODIs in 2005 and has scored most Test centuries than anyone except Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Lara and Steve Waugh. But with age on his side it will come as no surprise if he passes them all and stands on the peak all alone ere long. His tally of runs and centuries keeps burgeoning while his average just keeps getting better and better. In ODI’s he is at home at the pivotal No 3 slot and is a natural leader the icing on the cake being the triumph in the 2003 World Cup. With all the big scores behind him Ponting is no stonewalling, defensive batsman; indeed he is one of the most effervescent stroke players in the game. He had a tough task succeeding Steve Waugh as Australian captain but despite losing the Ashes narrowly to England in 2005 it can be said he has the makings of an outstanding leader. Both as batsman and captain more will be heard of this amiably tough Tasmanian in the near future.