Ricky Ponting: Australia's Relentless Captain — 13,378 Test Runs, Three World Cups, Unbeaten 2003

Ricky Thomas Ponting was born on 19 December 1974 in Launceston, Tasmania. He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Perth in November 1995 and his ODI debut in February 1995. He rose quickly through the Australian batting order — his natural ability to play aggressive, attacking cricket from the front foot made him one of Australia's most reliable batsmen from his debut. He succeeded Steve Waugh as Australian captain in 2004.

13,378 Test Runs and Three World Cups

Ricky Ponting scored 13,378 Test runs at 51.85 with 41 centuries — second only to Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) in all-time Test run-scorers. He captained Australia in 77 Tests, winning 48 — the highest win total by any Test captain at that time. He was part of Australia's World Cup-winning squad in 1999 and captained them to the 2003 and 2007 titles — making him the only player to be part of three consecutive winning World Cup squads. He scored 140 not out in the 2003 World Cup Final — the highest individual score in a World Cup final at the time. He was named ICC Cricketer of the Year in both 2006 and 2007.

The Pull Shot and Legacy

Ricky Ponting's pull shot — played to short deliveries outside off stump — was one of the most celebrated in cricket. He also drove imperiously through the off side. His batting had an energy and assurance that made scoring seem inevitable. His highest Test score was 257 against India at the MCG in December 2003 — an innings during which he batted for over 10 hours. He retired from all cricket in December 2012 after his 168th Test. He is considered the most complete batsman Australia produced since Don Bradman.