Ricky Ponting retires from cricket a true legend - but he had to retire

THERE were tears from Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke today as he answered questions about Ricky Ponting's retirement.
Ponting was Australian captain before Clarke, and the two have been team-mates in the one-day and Test teams since Clarke's debut for Australia in 2003.
They are close, and it's clear that Clarke will clearly miss both the experience and the familiar presence of Ponting on-field and in the team set-up.
Ponting formally announced his retirement earlier today. When reporters later asked Clarke whether he suspected the announcement might be coming after Ponting's failures in the Adelaide Test, the Australian skipper broke down.
"No, I didn't have a feeling it was coming," Clarke said, trying to shield his moistened eyes with his team cap.
In a tortured statement punctuated by sighs and long pauses, he then said: "The boys are obviously hurting at the moment.
"He's been an amazing player for a long time... that'll do me for today."

And that was that.

Salute to a champion

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/ricky-ponting-retires-from-cricket-a-true-legend-but-he-had-to-retire/story-fndo48ca-1226526798039

Well played Punter.....You are a Champion!!!

[smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif]

In the top 5 of Australian batsmen of all time.

Equals Steve Waugh's test record of games played.

Twice (thrice? 06/07?) Wisdon Cricketer of the year.

As good as anyone has been in the field, slips, covers, in close. Hit the stumps more than anyone (Jonty and Viv were pretty good)..

Didn't GS Chappell make back to back tons in Perth in his last game....???? .... i'll have look that up....

M Clarke was extremely emmotional..

Good Luck Punter.

8-)

Glad that the selectors have honoured their word to let him know when to bow out.
He probably would still have a flurry of good innings left in him, but it's time to give others a chance. The time seems right now to allow some others to be the greats of the game.

Had Ponting made a lot of runs in the past two tests, he would've not considered retirement himself, and would have been begged to stay if he did.

I don't see very much sad about it. Ponting will always be one of the greats and we can look forward to more greats to come.
It don't get much better  8-)

Great innings Ricky! Now you can feel the force of the nation behind you in Perth.


I once overbid at a sportsmen's night for a great personally autographed portrait of Ricky when he was Tassie captain and before he became the Australian captain.

I've really enjoyed looking at it over the years. Only the enjoyment a progressing champion can bring.

Another guy was retrospectively spewing that I had out bid him, and now I feel that I would be happy to move the pleasure on to him for even less than that money would've earned in the bank.
It's not that I don't value it anymore, it's more that I've memorised every part, every aspect and I have very much enjoyed it well beyond the price I paid.
I'm ready to let go (in a simpler term) with Ricky.

Debuted in Perth (robbed of a hundred :() and will retire in Perth

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/timbo2530/Punta.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/timbo2530/PuntaStats.jpg

Good on you Ricky.
Top player, top man.

By the time you reach your late thirties your eyesight begins to deteriorate and you get the impression sometimes Ponting simply wasn't picking up the ball early enough. His dismissal which left him sprawled on the pitch was embarrassing.

But he is a real gutsy Aussie and I hope he goes out with a bang not a whimper.

Great player of course but I never found him particularly likeable for some reason.


I know he is very well liked within the team so I guess it's just his public persona that puts me off.

The last of the Golden Era of Australian Cricket that was first ushered in via Reid, Jones and Matthews under Border.
Ponting was the 'baby' of the Golden Era who hung around at the crease long enough to become the 'old man' of the team like some symbolic display of what it meant to play during that Golden Era.

...something that Legend turned Wanker, Shane Warne can learn something from. I hear Warwick Capper is making a comback for the Swans too. ;D
Two great Legends turned into Wankers for Media Ego records. :P