Ricky the great

How great is Ricky Pontings career? Will he go down in the ICC hall of fame? Will he be one of the those batsmen all future Australian and world number 3 are compared to?

Only time can answer these questions but I already have my answer. Today in Perth, South Africa dismantled Australia with a day to spare and retain their position as the best test nation in the world, yet this is only a sub headline. The headline coming out of Perth is all about that one man yet this one man nearly had a very short career.

Back in Leeds 2001 the fourth test in the Ashes which Australia had already won Ponting was hanging on to his position in the team by his finger nails. Justin Langer was due to come back into the team in the next test after a long injury and Ponting was the out of form batsmen who was going to loss his place. This was his 46th test but he already looked the odd man out with vastly experienced players around him and had only scored more than 50 runs in a test match once in his previous 8 matches. I still remember this test strongly as its were I formed a love for an Australian the only one apart from Nicholas Babcock. He was gritty at the start as England bowlers continuously past the outside edge and then when he was in he took the attack apart. He went on to score 144 and 76 in the second innings and this was the real start to Pontings career.

Perhaps how I will also remember Ponting is a man who looked so vulnerable at the start of his innings. You could often getting him pulling the wrong delivery or dragging him outside off stump and nicking him out early on. Once past 30 or settled at the crease and more importantly those feet moving there is no better batsmen to take an attack apart. Once Ponting is in no captain had a plan of attack. He was lethal against short pitched bowling perhaps the best modern puller and hocker of ball. When those feet were moving no one needed less effort to push the ball through the covers or mid on or even check it over the top for 6.

It's hard to pick a highlight out of a career which included over 13000 test runs at average of over 51 and lasted a staggering 168 test matches. In 2003 Ponting scored back to back double centuries I remember this not because of Pontings excellence but the look on Ganguly the captain of Indias face as to not only how do you get this man out but how do you stop him from scoring.

That's how I will remember Ricky Ponting a great batsmen who was versatile to all conditions and could put any bowling attack to the sword. He will most certainly go down in the hall of fame because 13000 test runs do not grow on trees. When I look to pick any team in the future I look for a number 3 who is gritty and can bat in all situations and when they are in score big runs at a quick rate putting all the pressure on the opposition. Therefore unfairly comparing them to the great Ricky Ponting.