Former teammates hail ‘living legend’ Ponting – Cricket News Update
After Australian cricketing legend http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 commencing on Friday, his former teammates started lavishing praise on him, and termed his retirement as an end of an era.
Former Australian great http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stephen-Rodger-Waugh-c91216, whose record of 168 Tests was equalled by Punter after taking the field against the Proteas at the WACA Ground on Friday morning, heaped praise on the Tasmanian star for his longevity and determination, and termed him as a “living legend”.
"He's been a fantastic player and leaves the game a living legend," Waugh, one of the most successful Australian skippers, told Sydney Morning Herald. "A cricket career with such longevity will have ups and downs and I always prided myself on how I came back from adversity and I think Ricky is the same," the veteran added further.
Ponting, Australia's 366th Test player and 42nd Test captain, has so far played 167 Tests for the Kangaroos and is the second highest run getter in the history of the game, with a tally of 13,366 runs at an average exceeding 52. The 167 Test appearances saw the veteran middle-order batsman smashing 41 centuries and 62 fifties, with a highest score of 257.
He has also played in 375 One Day Internationals over the last 17 years, scoring 13,704 runs at an impressive average of 42.03, including 30 centuries and 82 fifties. He has not played a one-dayer for the Aussies since February this year though.
Former Australian pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brett-Lee-c48419, who retired from international cricket in July this year, hailed the retiring veteran for his cast-iron mental toughness.
"Coming from that tough, working-class area of his in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 between 1999 and 2012.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Glenn-Donald-McGrath-c60183, who along with Lee was Ponting’s main weapon in early 2000s, shared that he felt nostalgic upon hearing Punter’s decision to retire.
"It's the end of an era," McGrath said. "http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ricardo-Gouveia-c84824 is part of that old era that is drawing to a close. I have a huge respect for Rick and would have him in any team I played in."
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