New Delhi: Former Australian cricket captain and prolific scorer Ricky Ponting has been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne on Thursday.
The 40-year-old was inducted by Former wicketkeeper and long-time teammate Adam Gilchrist into a list which already has cricket legends like Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh and Shane Warne.
Ricky Ponting being inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame by former teammate Adam Gilchrist pic.twitter.com/epaMky6pXy
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) October 21, 2015
Ponting is Australia's most successful run-maker, both in Test and One-Day Internationals. In Test, he has scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85 and has 41 centuries in his name - both Australian records. In ODIs too, he leads the pack with 13,704 runs and 30 tons.
His Test aggregate is second only to Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (15921). His 41 centuries is third in all-time record, behind Tendulkar (51) and South African great Jacques Kallis (45). In ODIs too, his 30 centuries is second to Tendulkar (49), in terms of most runs, he is behind Tendulkar (18426) and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (14234).
In a career spanning more than 17 years, he helped Australian cricket both as a player and a leader, winning host of titles, including back-to-back Cricket World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007. He was also a part of Steve Waugh's World Cup winning team in 1999.
Ponting played his last Test for Australia at Perth in December 2012 against South Africam and last ODI at Brisbane in February 19, 2012 against India. He retired from all forms of cricket in July 2013a, as a County outfit Surrey player.
Athletes are required to be retired for two years before being eligible for the prestigious Sport Australia Hall of Fame induction.
Besides Ponting, Ryan Bayley (two-time Olympic gold medallist cyclist), Helen Brownlee (first female president of Australian Canoeing), Priya Cooper (Nine-time Paralympic swimming gold medallist), Leisel Jones (Three-time Olympic swimming gold medallist), John O'Neill (former ARU and FFA chief) Norm Provan (10-time rugby league premiership winner with St George) and Casey Stoner (two-time MotoGP world champion) were also inducted.
