|
Some famous and not-so-well-known high points of Ricky Ponting's celebrated one-day international career...
Ricky Ponting emerged victorious on the field on Sunday evening -- perhaps the last time he captained Australia in an international match. But, the 37-year-old batting great could pull stumps on his ODI career after being dumped from the squad for the remainder of the triangular CB Series that includes Sri Lanka and India.
Here are the highlights of his glorious one-day career:
February 1995: 62 vs India at Dunedin
Playing in only his third ODI, Ponting scored 62 to lead Australia to victory against India in a four-nation tournament that also involved New Zealand and South Africa. He was pushed to No 3 after making his debut at No 6.
March 1996 (WC): 102 vs WI at Jaipur
Up against the trio of Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop, a 21-year-old Ponting smashed 102 off 112 balls to give Australia a fighting chance during a 1996 World Cup Group A match. He wasn't afraid to play Ambrose off the backfoot - showing early signs of a quality player. November 1998: 124* vs Pakistan at Lahore
In pursuit of 316 against a strong Pakistan attack, Ponting and Adam Gilchrist struck tons to complete a world record run-chase (at the time) at Gaddafi Stadium. Prior to his fifth ton in 59 games, Ponting was shuffled around in the order. However, this knock helped him stamp his authority on the No 3 position. June 1999 (WC): 69 vs SA at Headingley
On paper, a knock of 69 runs off 110 balls doesn't spell great news for a team that was chasing 272 against a strong South African attack. But Ponting played according to the situation. Australia had to win the Super Six game to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Ponting's fifty followed by Steve Waugh's hundred helped Australia clinch a thriller.
2003 World Cup
March 2003 (WC final): 140* vs India
Before him, only three men had scored hundreds in a World Cup final. Ponting, also the skipper, blasted 140 runs to bat India out of the contest at glorious Wanderers. Ponting's stunner meant Javagal Srinath conceded 87 runs in his last international match. His timely ton gave Australia at 125-run victory and second consecutive World Cup title. November 2003: 108* vs India at Bangalore
Less than a year after murdering India in the World Cup final, Ponting produced another gem.It was against the same opponents at Bangalore in the TVS Cup. This time it was Ashish Nehra who bore the brunt. Australia once again posted a mammoth total of 347.
Ponting and Symonds after Tendulkar's dismissal at MCG
Jan 2004: Great catch vs India at Melbourne
Chasing a stiff target of 289, India got off to a flying start until Sachin Tendulkar (63) fell to a miscued pull off Andrew Symonds, which Ponting, at short midwicket, hauled down with a perfectly timed leap to bring off a one-handed catch. Feb 2006: Another gem vs SL at Brisbane
In the third and last game of the best-of-three-finals, Sri Lanka looked good to post a total close to 300.
Russell Arnold was batting splendidly on 76 when Ponting pulled off a gravity-defying catch. He ran backward, from mid-wicket, stretched outward and made a timely leap to finish off a stunning one-handed catch.
March 2006: 164 vs SA at Johannesburg
Exactly three years after his gem in the World Cup final, Ponting resumed his romance with The Bull Ring versus South Africa. He blasted 164 off 105 balls to power Australia to a world-record 434. The hosts miraculously chased it down.
Ponting celebrates in A'bad, 2011 March 2011: 104 vs India at Ahmedabad
With the axe hanging on his neck, skipper Ponting produced an outstanding ton to push Australia to 260 in last year's World Cup quarterfinal against India. In the previous year, he had averaged 28 from 19 games, with his place in the side was under scrutiny. However, he responded with a knock that effectively prolonged his career.
January 2007: Blinder vs England at MCG
In the first match of the 2006-07 CB Series against England at Melbourne, Ricky Ponting, fielding at backward point, dived to his left to take a splendid catch to dismiss Jon Lewis off Nathan Bracken. England were restricted to 242-8 in their 50 overs. Later, Ponting scored an unbeaten 82 as Australia registered an eight-wicket win. PIC/getty images | 
