Ricky Ponting pulls stumps on 17 years long career

By Nadene Smith

SYDNEY, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) December 3, 2012: Former Australian captain and legendary batsman Ricky Ponting called it quits on Test career Monday when he was out for eight runs in Australia’s second innings against South Africa in the Perth Test.

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Although, Australia failed to save the Perth Test, but it would still be remembered as the last match for the country’s most successful skipper and Australia’s only batsman to score over 13,000 career runs in both One Day International and Test cricket.

During the 17-year-long career, Ricky Ponting played 168 Tests and scored 13,378 runs from 287 innings at an average of 51.85. He hit 41 hundreds and 62 fifties with 257 being his highest score. He also held on to 196 catches during 168 Tests.

Ricky Ponting had been facing it tough to keep his concentration and composure on cricket in the last few series and the current series was his second worst in Test career as he could only manage 32 runs from five innings at only 6.40 runs per innings. His worst was 17 runs at 3.40 in five innings against India in 2001.

Talking to reporters after his dismal end to a celebrate cricket career, Ricky Ponting, also known as Punter, said, "It's been a pretty long, tough week. I know I've been more nervous this game than any other game I've played, just for the reason that how much it means to me playing or Australia. I was comfortable with the decision before this game anyway. I just had a bit more of a fairytale ending in my own eyes than what's happened this week."

Earlier in the day when Ricky Ponting stepped into the WACA Ground for his final innings of Test career, South African players paid him a glowing tribute by forming a Guard of Honor, a gesture which was greatly accepted by the former Aussie captain as he shook hands with Proteas skipper Graeme Smith before taking guard at the crease.

Talking about the level of respect the South African cricketers have for Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith told reporters, "It was just a sign of respect for someone who has given the game so much. I'm sure we're all going to miss Ricky as an opponent...I just told him he deserved everything that comes his way and can be proud of everything he's achieved."