Ricky Ponting: Australia's Greatest — 13,378 Test Runs, 41 Centuries, Three World Cups
Ricky Thomas Ponting AO is an Australian cricketer born on 19 December 1974 in Launceston, Tasmania. He is the most prolific run-scorer in Australian Test history: 13,378 Test runs at 51.85 with 41 centuries in 168 Tests. He captained Australia in 77 Test victories — more Test wins than any other captain in history. He was part of three ODI World Cup winning squads: 1999 (as player, under Steve Waugh), 2003 (captain — 140* in the final vs India), and 2007 (captain — beat SL by 53 runs in Barbados). He is second only to Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time Test runs list. He was ICC Test Player of the Year in 2006. He retired from all international cricket in December 2012.
Ricky Ponting was born on 19 December 1974 in Launceston, Tasmania. He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in December 1995 and became the heartbeat of Australian cricket's golden era from 1999 to 2010. A right-handed middle-order batsman of extraordinary power and precision, he was famous for the pull shot and drives through the on side. He accumulated 13,378 Test runs at 51.85 with 41 centuries — more Test runs than any other Australian in history.
Three World Cups and 77 Test Wins as Captain
Ponting was part of three World Cup-winning squads. In 1999, he played under Steve Waugh as Australia swept the tournament (beating Pakistan in the final at Lord's). In 2003 as captain, he scored 140 not out in the final against India at the Wanderers in Johannesburg — one of the great ODI innings in a World Cup final. In 2007, his side beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs in Barbados. As Test captain, he won 77 of 104 Tests — the most Test wins by any captain in history. He was named ICC Test Player of the Year in 2006. He retired from all international cricket in December 2012.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ricky Ponting's record as Test captain and how many World Cups did he win?
Ricky Ponting won 77 Test matches as Australia's captain in 104 Tests — the most Test wins by any captain in history. He was part of three ODI World Cup-winning squads: 1999 (under Steve Waugh), 2003 (as captain, 140* in the final vs India at the Wanderers), and 2007 (as captain, Australia beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs in Barbados). He scored 13,378 Test runs at 51.85 with 41 centuries in 168 Tests — Australia's all-time record. He was ICC Test Player of the Year in 2006. He retired in December 2012.