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-t...

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

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 

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.

Good on you Ricky.
Top player, top man.

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.