Ricky Ponting facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ricky Ponting

Ponting in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Ricky Thomas Ponting
Born	(1974-12-19) 19 December 1974 (age 50) Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Nickname	Punter
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	Top-order batter
Relations	Greg Campbell (uncle)
International information
National side	Australia (1995–2012)
Test debut (cap 366)	8 December 1995 v Sri Lanka
Last Test	3 December 2012 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 123)	15 February 1995 v South Africa
Last ODI	19 February 2012 v India
ODI shirt no.	14
T20I debut (cap 10)	17 February 2005 v New Zealand
Last T20I	8 June 2009 v Sri Lanka
T20I shirt no.	14
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1992/93–2012/13	Tasmania
2004	Somerset
2008	Kolkata Knight Riders
2011/12–2012/13	Hobart Hurricanes
2013	Mumbai Indians (squad no. 14)
2013	Surrey
2013	Antigua Hawksbills
Head coaching information
Years	Team
2014–2016	Mumbai Indians
2017–2018	Australia (interim)
2018–2024	Delhi Capitals
2024–present	Washington Freedom
September 2024–present	Punjab Kings
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 168 375 289 456 Runs scored 13,378 13,704 24,150 16,363 Batting average 51.85 42.03 55.90 41.74 100s/50s 41/62 30/82 82/106 34/99 Top score 257 164 257 164 Balls bowled 587 150 1,506 349 Wickets 5 3 14 8 Bowling average 55.20 34.66 58.07 33.62 5 wickets in innings 0 0 0 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0 Best bowling 1/0 1/12 2/10 3/34 Catches/stumpings 196/– 160/– 309/– 195/–
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  Australia ICC Cricket World Cup Winner 1999 England-Wales -Ireland-Scotland-Netherlands Winner 2003 South Africa-Zimbabwe-Kenya Winner 2007 West Indies Runner-up 1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka ICC Champions Trophy Winner 2006 India Winner 2009 South Africa Commonwealth Games Silver 1998 Kuala Lumpur
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 11 July 2013

Ricky Thomas Ponting (born 19 December 1974) is a famous Australian cricket coach, commentator, and former player. Many people think he is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He is also known as the most successful captain in international cricket history. He led his teams to 220 wins in 324 matches, which is a winning rate of almost 68%.

Ricky Ponting has scored the third-highest number of centuries in international cricket. Only Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have scored more. He holds the record for winning the most ICC tournaments as a captain in men's cricket. This includes the 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cups. He also won the 2006 and 2009 Champions Trophies. He was also part of the Australian team that won the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

In Australia, Ponting played for his home state of Tasmania. He also played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, a Twenty20 competition. He was a right-handed batsman and an excellent slip fielder. Sometimes, he would also bowl a little. He led Australia to two 5–0 Ashes wins and World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007. He was also on the 1999 World Cup winning team under Steve Waugh. Ponting also led Australia to win the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and 2009. He is one of the most successful Test captains ever, with 48 wins in 77 Tests. As a player, Ponting is the only cricketer to be involved in 100 Test victories. He also won the most One Day International (ODI) matches as a player, with 262 wins. He played in over 160 Tests and 370 ODIs.

Ricky Ponting is Australia's top run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket. He was named "Cricketer of the Decade 2000". In 2017, a Cricket Australia poll named him in the country's best Ashes XI. In July 2018, he was added to the ICC Hall of Fame. He is currently an assistant coach for the Australian men's cricket team.

Ponting announced he was retiring from Test cricket in November 2012. His last Test match was against South Africa. This was his 168th Test, matching the Australian record held by Steve Waugh. He finished his Test career with a batting average of 51.85. He continued to play cricket around the world until 2013.

Early Life and Cricket Beginnings (1974-1995)

Birth and Family Life

Ponting with his wife Rianna in 2016.

Ricky Ponting was born in Launceston, Tasmania, on 19 December 1974. He is the oldest of Graeme and Lorraine Ponting's three children. His father, Graeme, was a good club cricketer. His mother, Lorraine, was a state vigoro champion. His uncle, Greg Campbell, played Test cricket for Australia in 1989 and 1990.

Ricky married his longtime girlfriend, Rianna Cantor, in June 2002. Ponting has said that she helped him become more mature. They have three children together.

Junior Cricket and Football

Ricky Ponting started playing cricket thanks to his father and uncle. He joined the Mowbray Under-13s team when he was just 11 years old in 1985–86. In January 1986, he played in a junior cricket competition. He scored four centuries in one week! Because of this amazing performance, bat maker Kookaburra gave him a sponsorship contract.

Australian Rules football was also a big part of Ponting's life. He loved following the North Melbourne Kangaroos. He played junior football for North Launceston. When he was 13, he broke his right arm playing football. The injury was so bad it needed pins. He was told to rest for 14 weeks and never played competitive football again. This meant he focused entirely on cricket.

First-Class Debut and Early Success

After finishing school in 1990, Ponting worked as a groundsman at a private school. In 1991, he got a sponsorship to train at the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide. He was so good that the two-week training turned into a two-year sponsorship. The Academy coach, Rod Marsh, said Ponting was the best 17-year-old batsman he had ever seen.

Ponting made his first-class debut for Tasmania in November 1992. He was only 17 years and 337 days old. This made him the youngest Tasmanian to play in a Sheffield Shield match. He scored 56 runs in his first game. He later became the youngest Tasmanian to score a first-class century. He also became the youngest batsman in Shield history to score two centuries in one match. He scored 781 runs in his first season.

Beginning International Cricket (1995-1999)

Making the Australian Team

Ponting's great performances in domestic cricket led to his selection for the Australian ODI team in 1995. He made his debut against South Africa in New Zealand. He scored 62 runs in his third match against India.

His Test debut came soon after, in December 1995. He was chosen for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Perth. He scored an impressive 96 runs in his first Test innings. He combined with Stuart Law, who was also making his debut, for a 121-run partnership. Australia won the match easily. In his second Test, he scored 71 runs. He ended his first Test series with 193 runs.

1996 Cricket World Cup

Ponting played in the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He batted at number three for the whole tournament. He became the youngest batsman to score a World Cup century. He scored 102 runs against the West Indies in Jaipur. Australia reached the final but lost to Sri Lanka. Ponting finished his first World Cup with 229 runs.

Finding His Place in the Team

After the World Cup, Ponting was promoted to the number three position in the Test team. He scored his first Test century in England during the 1997 Ashes tour. He made 127 runs. He ended that series with 241 runs.

In the 1997–98 home season, he scored his first Test century in Australia. He made 105 runs against South Africa. He also had his best ODI season, scoring 462 runs. This included a century against New Zealand.

Road Back to the Australian Side (1999-2002)

First World Cup Victory (1999)

Australia started the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England with some losses. Ponting scored important runs in several matches. In a crucial Super Six match against South Africa, he scored 69 runs. This helped Australia win and reach the semi-finals. Australia then tied with South Africa in the semi-final. Australia went to the final because they had finished higher in the group stage. They easily beat Pakistan in the final. Ponting scored 24 runs, helping Australia win their first World Cup since 1987. He finished the tournament with 354 runs.

Strong Batting Form

After the World Cup, Ponting was named Man-of-the-Series in Sri Lanka. He scored 253 runs in three Tests. He then had a great home season in 1999–2000. He scored 197 runs against Pakistan. He also scored 125 and 141 not out against India. He was the top scorer in that series with 375 runs.

Ponting was even chosen as temporary vice-captain for the ODI team. This showed that he was being considered for future leadership roles. He said, "It's now clear to me that I am seen as a future Australia captain."

Becoming One Day International Captain (2002-2004)

Leading the ODI Team

Ponting at a training session at the Adelaide Oval in 2009.

The Australian ODI team had been struggling. In February 2002, Steve Waugh was dropped from the team. Ponting was then made the new captain, even though Adam Gilchrist was the vice-captain. The team's performance improved right away. Ponting's team won their first series in South Africa.

Ponting also played very well in the Test tour of South Africa. He scored 100 not out to help Australia win a Test match. He ended that series with 308 runs.

Ashes Victory and First World Cup as Captain

England toured Australia in 2002–03. Ponting scored 123 runs in the first Test and 154 in the second. This meant he had scored four centuries in five Tests. Australia won the series easily.

Ponting was named captain for the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Australia faced some challenges before the tournament. Key players were injured or banned. However, Ponting strongly supported Andrew Symonds' inclusion. Symonds then played brilliantly, scoring 140 not out in the first match. Australia won all their matches in the tournament.

In the final, Australia played India. Ponting scored an amazing 140 not out from 121 balls. Australia set a record score of 359 runs. India could not reach the target, and Australia won by 125 runs. Ponting led his team to an undefeated World Cup victory. He called it "without doubt the best moment of my cricketing life."

Reaching 5,000 Test Runs

After the World Cup, Ponting was named the long-term vice-captain of the Test team. He continued his great form in the West Indies. He scored 117 and 42 not out in the first Test. He then scored his first double century (206) in the second Test. He scored another century (113) in the third Test. He was named Man-of-the-Series, scoring 523 runs.

In 2003, Ponting scored 169 and 53 not out against Zimbabwe. During his century, he passed 5,000 Test runs. He ended that series with 259 runs.

Most Runs in a Calendar Year (2003)

Ponting had an incredible year in 2003. He scored double-centuries in back-to-back Tests against India. He made 242 runs in Adelaide and 257 runs in Melbourne. The 257 was his highest Test score. He ended that series with 706 runs.

He became only the second player, after Sir Donald Bradman, to hit three double-centuries in a calendar year. His 242 against India is the highest score by a batsman whose team still lost the match.

Becoming Test Captain (2004-2008)

After Steve Waugh's (pictured) retirement at the beginning of 2004 following the drawn home series against India, Ponting assumed the Test captaincy.

After Steve Waugh retired in early 2004, Ricky Ponting became the captain of the Test team.

Early Captaincy Success

Ponting started his Test captaincy with a 3–0 win in Sri Lanka. Australia also hosted Sri Lanka for two Tests. Ponting missed the first Test due to a family matter.

Ponting led a successful season in Australia in 2004–05. Australia won all five Tests, beating New Zealand 2–0 and Pakistan 3–0. Ponting scored 145 runs against New Zealand. For his great performances in 2004, the ICC named him captain of both the World Test XI and ODI XI.

Ponting signing autographs in Sydney, 2005, before he scored his fourth career double century.

Ponting scored his first century as captain, making 207 runs against Pakistan in Sydney. He ended that series with 403 runs. Australia then won a three-Test series in New Zealand 2–0. Ponting scored 105 and 86 not out in the third Test. He scored 293 runs in that series.

Losing the Ashes (2005)

Australia lost the 2005 Ashes series to England 2–1. This was the first time an Australian captain had lost the Ashes since 1986–87. The series was very exciting. Ponting faced criticism, but he said Australia was simply outplayed.

In the third Test, Ponting scored 156 runs. This was Australia's first century of the series. In the fourth Test, Ponting was run out for 48 runs. Australia lost that match. England drew the final Test, winning the Ashes.

Twin Centuries in 100th Test

Ponting during his 124 against Sri Lanka on 12 February 2006 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia had a great home season in 2005–06. They beat the West Indies 3–0 and South Africa 2–0. Ponting scored centuries in both innings of the first Test against the West Indies.

Against South Africa, Ponting scored 117 runs in the second Test. In the third Test, his 100th Test match, he scored 120 and 143 not out. This was the first time anyone had scored two centuries in their 100th Test. Australia won the match dramatically. Ponting was named man of the match and man of the series. He scored 515 runs in that series.

First Champions Trophy Victory

Australia won the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy in India. This was the ODI tournament they had always wanted to win. After the final, Ponting apologized for an incident where he appeared to rush an Indian official off the stage during celebrations.

Regaining the Ashes and 10,000 ODI Runs (2007)

The Australian cricket team with a replica of The Ashes urn

In November 2006, Australia played England in the Ashes series. Ponting scored 196 runs in the first Test and 142 in the second. Australia won both matches. In the third Test, Australia won again and reclaimed the Ashes. They went on to win the series 5–0. Ponting was named Man of the Series, scoring 576 runs.

Australia then played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Ponting started well, scoring 113 runs against Scotland. He also scored 91 runs against South Africa. During this innings, he became the seventh player to score 10,000 ODI runs.

A large crowd of over 10,000 fans welcome the Australian team on completing the first World Cup hat-trick – Martin Place, Sydney.

Australia dominated the tournament. Ponting scored half-centuries against England and New Zealand. Australia easily beat South Africa in the semi-final. In the final, Australia defeated Sri Lanka. Ponting led his team to their third consecutive World Cup victory.

10,000 Test Runs

In 2008, Australia toured the West Indies. Ponting scored his 35th Test century, making 158 runs in the first Test. In the second Test, Ponting became the seventh player and third Australian to score 10,000 Test runs. He achieved this in his 118th Test. Australia won the series 2–0.

Later Career and Retirement (2008-2012)

Mixed Team Performances

In 2008, Ponting led Australia in India. He scored his first Test century in India, making 123 runs. He ended the series with 264 runs.

Australia then played New Zealand at home, winning both Tests. Ponting scored 100 runs in the series. In December, Australia played South Africa. Ponting scored his 37th century in the second Test. Australia lost the series 2–1.

Second Ashes Loss as Captain (2009)

Ponting fielding during First Test in Cardiff

In the 2009 Ashes series in England, Ponting scored 150 runs in the first Test. He became the fourth player to score 11,000 runs in Test cricket. In the third Test, Ponting became the highest Australian run-scorer in Test history, passing Allan Border. However, Australia lost the series 2–1. Ponting became only the third Australian captain to lose the Ashes twice.

In September 2009, Ponting retired from Twenty20 international cricket. He wanted to play longer in Tests and ODIs.

Australia then won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. Ponting scored 79 runs against the West Indies. He scored an unbeaten 111 runs in the semi-final against England. He became the third batsman to score 12,000 ODI runs. Australia won the final, their second Champions Trophy in a row. Ponting was named man-of-the-series.

2010–11 Ashes Defeat

Ponting scored the first ever double-century (209) at his home ground Bellerive Oval (pictured) in the Third Test against Pakistan.

Australia hoped to win back the Ashes at home in 2010–11. The first Test was a draw. Ponting then had a poor run of form, and Australia lost the series. Ponting became the first Australian captain to lose an Ashes series in Australia since 1987. He missed the fifth Test due to a finger injury.

2011 World Cup and Resignation

Ponting remained captain for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Australia had won the previous three World Cups. Australia reached the quarter-finals. Ponting scored 104 runs against India in the quarter-final. This was his first international century in over a year. Australia lost the match and were knocked out.

After the tournament, Ponting resigned as captain of both the Test and ODI teams. He said he wanted to keep playing.

Post-Captaincy and Test Retirement (2011-2012)

In 2011, Ponting was recognized as one of the Australian Institute of Sport's 'Best of the Best'. He continued to play for Australia. In the 2011–12 summer, he scored a century (134) against India in Sydney. This was his first Test century in almost two years. He and Michael Clarke set a new record for the biggest partnership against India, with 288 runs.

In the fourth Test against India, Ponting scored 221 runs. He and Clarke set another record partnership of 386 runs. During this innings, he became the third player, and first Australian, to pass 13,000 career Test runs.

On Australia Day 2012, he was honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia. This was for his services to cricket and the community.

Ponting was briefly captain again in the 2011–12 Commonwealth Bank Series when Michael Clarke was injured. However, he was dropped from the ODI team after only two games. He said, "I don't expect to play one-day international cricket for Australia any more."

On 29 November 2012, Ponting announced he would retire from Test cricket. His last Test match was against South Africa at the WACA Ground.

Playing After International Retirement (2013)

After retiring from Test cricket, Ponting played for Tasmania in the 2012–13 Sheffield Shield season. He was the top run-scorer in the competition with 911 runs. He was named the Sheffield Shield player of the year.

He also played for the English County team Surrey in 2013. He scored 192 runs on his debut for Surrey. This was the highest score by a Surrey batsman on their first-class debut. In his final first-class innings, he scored an unbeaten 169 runs.

In January 2015, a new stand at Bellerive Oval was named the Ricky Ponting Stand in his honor. In December 2015, a bronze statue of him was placed at the ground.

Playing Style

Batting Skills

Ponting was known as an aggressive right-handed batsman. He played many different shots with confidence. His most famous shots were the pull and hook. He was very good at playing shots on both the front and back foot.

Some people thought he had trouble against good spin bowlers. Especially against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who dismissed Ponting many times. Ponting often tried to hit spin deliveries by moving forward.

Former West Indian captain, Viv Richards, said Ponting was his favorite player to watch. He even rated him slightly ahead of Sachin Tendulkar.

Bowling and Fielding

Ponting was a right-arm medium bowler, but he rarely bowled. He was, however, considered one of the best fielders in the world. He usually fielded in the slips, cover, and silly point positions. He had a good eye and accurate throws. He often ran batsmen out with direct hits.

Captaincy Style

Ponting was sometimes criticized for his captaincy. However, many players who played for him said he was a great leader. Justin Langer, a former Australian opening batsman, said Ponting was "inspirational as a leader." He added that young players listened to his every word.

Ponting led Australia to two World Cup victories in a row (2003 and 2007).

Career Highlights and Awards

Ricky Ponting has received many awards and set several records:

• He was the first batsman to score centuries in ODI cricket against all Test-playing nations.
• He holds the record for the highest partnership in the ICC Champions Trophy (252 not out with Shane Watson).
• His score of 242 against India is the highest individual Test innings in a losing match.
• He won the Allan Border Medal four times (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009).
• He was named ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2006.
• He won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year) in 2006 and 2007.
• He was named captain of the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year multiple times.
• He was named captain of the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year multiple times.
• He was the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year in 2012-13.
• In 2021, he was named an Australia Post Legend of Cricket.

Coaching Career

Ponting during the 2017-18 Tri-Series

After retiring as a player, Ricky Ponting became a cricket coach.

Various Coaching Roles (2014–2017)

Ponting coached the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2014 to 2016. He helped them win the championship in 2015. In 2017, Ponting was an interim (temporary) coach for Australia's T20I series against Sri Lanka. He also joined the Australian cricket coaching team as an assistant for the 2017–18 Tri-Series.

Delhi Capitals Head Coach (2018–2024)

On 3 January 2018, Ponting became the new head coach of Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the IPL. In 2018, the team finished last. However, Ponting helped create a new team spirit. He helped young players like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant improve a lot. In 2019, Delhi finished in 3rd place. In 2020, they finished second, and in 2021, they finished third. Delhi was the only team to reach the playoffs in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In 2024, Ponting left his role as coach of Delhi Capitals.

Current Coaching Roles (2024–Present)

Ricky Ponting has been appointed head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the IPL 2025 season. He also became the new head coach of Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket in February 2024.

Books

Throughout his cricket career, Ponting wrote several diaries about Australian cricket. These books shared his experiences during the cricket year. His autobiography, Ponting: At the Close of Play, was released in November 2013.

Images for kids

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  This chart shows Ricky Ponting's Test cricket record. The blue and red bars show his scores in each innings, and the green line shows his career batting average.

See also

In Spanish: Ricky Ponting para niños