Smith recalls Ponting’s glorious moments – Cricket News Update
Despite coming on top in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473, the victorious South African captain, said that it became nearly impossible to dismiss Punter during his prime days.
The Aussie legend finally hung his boots following the conclusion of the opening home series, where his side suffered a 1-0 defeat in three Test matches. His performances were below his usual standards as he was worked over easily by the Proteas contingent. In total, he managed just 32 runs at 6.40, his lowest returns against his opponents by a fair margin.
Since 1997, Punter had featured in 26 Tests against the Proteas, amassing over 2000 runs at 47.37. His tally puts him amongst the leading run getters against the tourists in modern day cricket, with only http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Walter-Reginald-Hammond-c96108 managing more fruitful outings.
However, he has struggled to make an impact in the last two series, where he has managed just 102 runs in five matches. Despite the evident decline, Smith was quick to label Ponting as one of the toughest opponents he has ever faced in his international career.
Punter has had reasonable success as captain against South Africa, where he averages a whopping 59.04 from a period between 2005 and 2009.
The win at Perth nonetheless, allows http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
"I think there's a few innings in the early days [that I will remember]," http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598 said. "We ended up winning the Test match, but the 100 and 99 in Melbourne on Boxing Day [in 2008], there was another time at the Wanderers when he got runs and the wicket went around all over the shop.
"There were moments when you thought it was really tough to bat and he just took the game to you and played in a way you haven't really seen other people play. I wasn't part of it but I think that World Cup knock at the Wanderers has got to rank as one of the top ones that I have watched."
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