Top 3 performances from Ricky Ponting in international cricket

Ricky Ponting is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. The great cricketer turns 49 on this day on December 19 and there has been celebration of his day all over the world. As a batter, Ponting was ruthless and often attacked the bowlers for fun. He was as good a captain as a batter he was, or probably an even better leader. Under the captaincy of Ponting, Australia dominated the world cricket. In the 2000s, Australia won two ODI World Cups and 2 Champions Trophy at the highest level. In the longer formats, Ponting ensured that Australia remained at the top of the rankings more often than not. 

As a batter, Ponting played some sensational knocks in his career. Some of his knocks are well accounted for and are remembered by the fans to date. In both Test cricket and ODIs, Ponting played some terrific knocks. His record away from home was amazing and was appreciated by many. Punter always looked for fun which separated him from others. At number 3 and even down the order, Ponting was successful as a batter. But his reign as a batter in the period 2000-2007 was so special, as he was so good as a batter in both the longer formats of the game. 

Here are the Top 3 performances of Ponting in international cricket. 

3. 164 against South Africa

It was a match where runs were literally scored for fun. Cricket has not seen a game like it again and it remains one of the greatest cricket matches to date. For the first time in cricket, the highest target was set by a team in the format, whuich barely remained for more than 4 hours. The match was special for many reasons. One of the main reasons behind the same was the exceptional batting of Ponting in the match. Unfortunately, it was not highlighted, as Gibbs played a stellar knock and helped South Africa to win the match in some style. But Ponting's knock in the match was amazing as well.

Batting first, Australia realized the nature of the wicket at Wanderers in Johannesburg. Hence, they went bonkers right from the start. Adam Gilchrist raced away to 55 runs in 44 balls. Simon Katich probably played a good knocks, which was considered not enough on a wicket like it, as he scored 79 runs in 90 balls. The stars of the show were Michael Hussey and Ponting, who scored 81(51) and 164(105) respectively. In his stay in the middle, Punter hit 13 fours and 9 sixes. The explosive lknock of Ponting helped Australia to post a mammoth score of 434 runs on the board. SA chased it down by a wicket. 

2. 120 and 143 against South Africa

It was the 100th Test match of the star batter at SCG in Sydney. It turned out to be a memorable day for Punter not just because of his personal achievement, but also as a celebration of his batting. It was the first and only instance ti date of a batter scoring Twin hundreds on their 100th Test match, which was quite something when he achieved it. Against SA, Ponting brought his best, as he scored two tonms in the same match. Replying to the first innings score of SA, who had scored 451 runs, Australia scored 359 runs in their first innings, to stay behind in the game by 92 runs. 

Ponting scored a very good hundred in the first innings. The Australian number 3 scored 120 runs in 174 balls, which included 12 fours and a six. Australia had to chase 287 runs to win the match. ponting played an even better knock and helped the home side to win a memorable Test match. In 159 balls, Ponting scored an unbeaten 143* and played a match winning knock. In the rpocess, ponting became the only batter to date to have scored Twin hundreds as a captain in the 100th Test match. Australia won the match by 8 wickets and Ponting was awarded with the Player of the Match award. 

1. 140 against India

It was the biggest day of Ponting in his cricket career. It was the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. For the first time in his career, Ponting was leading Australia in a Wolrd Cup. But the biggest stage did not affect him even a bit. On the big day, Punter brought his A game against a good Indian side. Matthew Hayden was batting slow from his end. Adam Gilchrist, as usual, went bonkers at the top. The WK batter raced away to 57(48) and took the attack on the opposition. But it was Ponting who had a serious impact over the bowlers of India. His knock is rated as one of the bests of All-time.

In his stay in the middle, Ponting scored 140 runs in 121 balls, which included 4 fours and 8 sixes. The knock of Ponting demoralized the bowlers, as they played to the tones of the star batter. the Australian captain had a field day in the middle, as he registered the then highest individual score by a batter in a World Cup final. To date, many believe that Ponting had a special spring on his bat whioch helped him to bat a but more effectively in the match. But the stellar knock of Ponting helped Australia to register 359 runs on the board, as they eventually won the match by 125 runs.