Farewell Ricky Ponting

Clarke tried to change Ponting's mind

November 29, 2012 - 7:31PM
AAP

Michael Clarke says he tried to talk Ricky Ponting out of retirement but Australia's greatest Test run-scorer had already made up his mind.

Ponting shocked teammates on Thursday when he told them of his decision to quit international cricket after the third Test against South Africa starting in Perth on Friday.

Australia captain Clarke said he attempted to persuade Ponting to keep on playing.

"I certainly tried to," Clarke told Channel Nine.

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"Like all of the players in the changeroom we would still like him to be there."

Clarke was reduced to tears at the press conference at which Ponting explained his reasons for wanting to step aside and said it was because Ponting had been such a major influence on his career.

"I'm emotional because he has played such a big part I guess for Australian cricket, not just my career ... but what an ambassador for the sport.

"A tough day for all of the boys but especially for Punter I'm sure.

"I think I have played 85 Tests and he has been there for all of them except my debut.

"He has played a huge part in my career. I have only even known cricket, certainly Test cricket, for Australia with him. He is a huge part of the team."

Clarke said he was stunned when Ponting broke the news and said it was a decision Ponting had made purely on his own without any input from Australia's selectors.

"I didn't expect that conversation at all," Clarke said.

"I don't think it is a conversation the selectors would have had with him (either). I certainly hadn't had that conversation with him.

"I think Ricky just made up his mind. (Today) was about supporting his decision.

"It will give us inspiration to come out and play our best cricket."

From the heart gear from Pup. Ricky was clearly like a big brother to him.

It was also Zim wot sed:

Our best batsman since Bradman, our worst captain since Kim Hughes.

Wildly hyperbolical as usual, but not ridiculous.


Good grace and sense from Punter to fall on his sword, once he has seen the writing on the wall.

An oustanding batsman and catcher, and nippy fielder, leaves cricket followers in general, and especially both Pom and Aussie fans, with a lot of good memories (partly for different reasons, in the latter two cases!).

His contribution to the 438 game was immense.

taipan wrote:His contribution to the 438 game was immense.

Bowling Lewis FFS for 10 overs but Bracken only for 9?

Great batsman, awesome fielder, tactical cripple.

Gave the world the term squnt. Legacy.

The last of the great Aussie team of the 90s and 00s to retire, so really marks the end of an era in world cricket.

We loved to hate him as English supporters which says a lot about his ability as a batsman, we enjoyed his misfortunes as a captain, but like his legendary team-mates we had nothing but respect for him as a cricketer. Clearly one of the greats of his time alongside Tendulkar, Lara, Kallis, Dravid etc.

beamer wrote:
We loved to hate him as English supporters which says a lot about his ability as a batsman

It doesn't.

Truly great batsman - in terms of his captaincy, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time bearing in mind the world beaters who all retired within 18 months of each other.

Basil wrote:Truly great batsman - in terms of his captaincy, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time bearing in mind the world beaters who all retired within 18 months of each other.

Or maybe in the right place. He got loads of wins because of those players.

from Cricinfo:

>>>

John Hastings became the 430th Test cricketer to represent Australia and was given his baggy green cap by Adam Gilchrist in a presentation before play. Hastings also became Ricky Ponting's 82nd Test team-mate, a remarkable figure that means nearly 20% of the men who have played Test cricket for Australia over the past 135 years have walked out onto the field with Ponting.

<<<

Stats Freaks: How do others, eg Border (who played with both the ACB mob and the returning Packer Rebels, and played on for a long time to follow, compare?

Vicomte de Lardsville, your Excellency .... are you in on this feckin' Draft, or have I fallen for a second NSR in a month and a bit?

Shouldn't be too hard to work out.

AB had 10 team-mates in his first Test. Phil Carlson (who was cap 300) and Kevin Wright started in the following Test, Border's second. He was 12th man in the next game in Sydney, but everybody who played then played at least one other Test alongside him. As did every cricketer to debut over the next 15 years up to and including Matthew Hayden (no 359). There's 70 to start off with. If AB played with more than 12 ex-WSC players he has Ponts covered.

PeterCS wrote:Vicomte de Lardsville, your Excellency .... are you in on this feckin' Draft, or have I fallen for a second NSR in a month and a bit?

I don't know ... I was tempted momentarily, but it seems a bit difficult! Will stay out now.

I found 15 players who didn't play in AB's debut but did play at least one Test both before and afterwards. Which gives him 85 Australian team-mates.

I thought he (and perhaps Bobby Simpson, for slightly different reasons) might have been the obvious rivals.

Steve Waugh - the standard first 10, 52 debuts between his first and last, 11 before & afters, total: 73.

(There was one Australian Test player from Steve Waugh's span that never played a Test with him, or with his brother either for that matter:)

Spoiler:

lardbucket wrote:

PeterCS wrote:Vicomte de Lardsville, your Excellency .... are you in on this feckin' Draft, or have I fallen for a second NSR in a month and a bit?

I don't know ... I was tempted momentarily, but it seems a bit difficult! Will stay out now.

Pity. Your contribution would be useful, and I am sure instructive too.

I wasn't sure if you were serious, or making a mock, - otherwise I would have done a quick thread (as I did with the snap poll over the meaning of the "12th pick" - attention-seeking with positive connotations) to check the consent of the other six - Growler and I both immediately welcomed you, as you may have seen.

I will PM you a few considered suggestions if you do want to join in - not that you need them, but a handful of hair's breadth misses for me, that you might well favour more than I did, for this or that reason. And that might hurry things along.

As far as I am concerned, comp is not over yet = still time.

Good work, Fred.

Nerk, not Flintoff, I guess.

Aye, nice quick maths to come up with some rather remarkable numbers.

lardbucket wrote:from Cricinfo:

>>>

John Hastings became the 430th Test cricketer to represent Australia and was given his baggy green cap by Adam Gilchrist in a presentation before play. Hastings also became Ricky Ponting's 82nd Test team-mate, a remarkable figure that means nearly 20% of the men who have played Test cricket for Australia over the past 135 years have walked out onto the field with Ponting.

<<<

Stats Freaks: How do others, eg Border (who played with both the ACB mob and the returning Packer Rebels, and played on for a long time to follow, compare?

I'd imagine SRT has played with something like 50% of all players who have represented India?

105 players have played for india since his debut. he has probably played with all at some point