Mitchell Starc produced a spell for the ages as Australia dismantled the West Indies in a historic pink-ball Test in Jamaica. The experienced left-arm pacer claimed his career-best figures of…
Ricky Thomas Ponting was born on 19 December 1974 in Launceston, Tasmania—the eldest of Graeme and Lorraine Ponting’s three children. His father played club cricket and Australian football; his mother was a vigoro champion. Cricket runs in the family—his uncle, Greg Campbell, represented Australia in Tests.
Ponting grew up in a modest, working-class neighborhood in Newnham, Launceston, where he juggled backyard cricket with Aussie Rules football. At 13, he broke his humerus playing football, ending that path, but strengthening his resolve. By age 11, he was already playing under-13 cricket and, after a sensational run of four centuries, earned sponsorship from Kookaburra.
Leaving school after year 10, he worked as a groundsman while honing his skills at the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide—where he was hailed as the best 17-year-old batsman Rod Marsh had ever seen.
Ponting’s aggressive style made him a formidable competitor. Known as “Punter,” he wore his emotions on his sleeve and challenged authority—at times pushing the limits of on-field conduct. South Africa’s Graeme Smith called him “the toughest competitor” he’d faced.
Off the field, he’s an animal lover and greyhound racing enthusiast—his nickname stemmed from punting races. He supports Australian Rules club North Melbourne Kangaroos and has raised over AU$300k for childhood cancer causes.
Ponting ventured into business with “Ponting Wines” and remains active in philanthropy through the Ponting Foundation, which focuses on cancer research and children’s welfare.
In June 2002, Ponting married Rianna Cantor, a law student, marking a mature turning point in his life. The couple has three children together. Rianna’s influence became a stabilizing force in Ponting’s life, particularly during his peak playing years .
Ponting remains close to his family—his uncle Greg Campbell’s cricketing legacy, his commitment to Rianna’s legal pursuits, and his children all form the backbone of his personal support system.
At just 17, Ponting debuted for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield (November 1992), becoming the youngest Tasmanian to represent his state. Prior to that, he scored prolifically in Under-19 tournaments, earning a spot in Australia’s youth squad for the South Africa tour.
Ponting’s talent secured rapid entry into Australia’s limited-overs setup, debuting in ODIs against South Africa in February 1995. Later that year, he made his Test debut in Perth versus Sri Lanka, scoring 96. Despite early struggles with form and discipline, he cemented his place by the late ’90s.
He also had stints in English county cricket (Somerset and Surrey), boosting his experience and adaptability across conditions.
Ricky Ponting’s international run is among cricket’s most impressive.
Test: 168 matches, 13,378 runs at 51.85 average, 41 centuries, Top score of 257.
ODI: 375 matches, 13,704 runs, 30 centuries, Top score 164.
T20I: 17 matches, 401 runs at strike rate 132.78, Top score 98
Ponting was captain of the Australia ODI team from 2002–2011 and led the Test side from 2004–2011 . Under his leadership:
World Cup wins: 2003, 2007; ICC Champions Trophy: 2006, 2009.
As Test captain: 48 wins from 77 matches—a winning rate unmatched before.
As a player, he featured in 100 victorious Tests and 262 ODI wins.
In 2003, he scored 242 in Adelaide—a record for highest Test score in a losing cause. He is third all-time for international centuries, behind Tendulkar and Kohli.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Ave | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 168 | 13,378 | 51.85 | 41 | 62 | 257 |
| ODIs | 375 | 13,704 | 42.03 | 30 | 82 | 164 |
| T20Is | 17 | 401 | 28.64 | 0 | 2 | 98 |
Ponting’s foray into the IPL includes stints with Kolkata Knight Riders (inaugural 2008 season, 4 games), Mumbai Indians (2013, 6 games), Hobart Hurricanes (BBL), Surrey, and Antigua Hawksbills.
In his IPL career, he played 10 matches, scoring 91 runs, with a top score of 28, averaging 10.40 . Post-retirement, Ponting transitioned into coaching—serving Delhi Capitals (2018–2024), Punjab Kings’ head coach (2025–2028). He led Delhi to their first final (2020) and now aims to guide Punjab Kings to their maiden title.
Ponting’s career was largely defined by grit and fitness, though he faced setbacks:
At 13, broken humerus ended football—channeled his energy into cricket.
Mid-career saw form slumps and occasional clashes with officials, testing his character and leadership resolve.
He famously walked into retirement with composure, scoring a century for Surrey in his final first-class game at The Oval, July 2013—closing his illustrious career in style.
After retiring from international cricket, Ricky Ponting transitioned into coaching and quickly became one of the most respected mentors in the game. He served as an assistant coach for Australia during the 2017 Champions Trophy and T20I series in 2018, earning praise for his tactical insights. In the IPL, he transformed Delhi Capitals into strong contenders, leading them to their first-ever final in 2020 and playing a key role in developing young talents like Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw. In 2024, he took over as head coach of Punjab Kings, aiming to rebuild and guide the team to success from the 2025 season onward. Alongside coaching, Ponting is also a popular cricket commentator known for his sharp analysis and deep understanding of the game.
