Ponting's birthday: 5 best innings played by Ricky Ponting
One of the best ever captains that Australia ever produced was Ricky Ponting who took over the mantle from the legendary Steve Waugh and continued his legacy. Under his stewardships, Australia scaled amazing heights as he ushered in a golden era of Australian cricket.
But he was just as brilliant as a batsman and often led from the front producing some very memorable knocks at the most crucial times for his country. On his 42nd birthday today, we look back at his 5 best knocks.
#1 197 vs Pakistan at Perth, 3rd Test, 1999
One of the best innings that Ricky Ponting played during the early phase of his career was the 197 he scored against Pakistan in the third Test at Perth. Pakistan were bowled out for 155 in their first innings and Australia in response scored 451 in their first innings thanks to contributions from Ponting and Justin Langer.
The innings was remarkable as it came at a time when Australia boasted of a great batting line-up and Ponting batted at six in Test cricket. But Ponting played attacking cricket, scoring his 199 off 288 balls in an innings comprising 22 boundaries.
He was unlucky to be dismissed by Azhar Mahmood three runs short of what would have been a well deserved double century. Ponting did go on to get quite a few double centuries in his career later but this innings of his still stands out as one of his best.