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Against India, Melbourne
The high point of Ponting’s Test career from a statistical point of view came in 2003, when he scored three double centuries in the calendar year - including two in successive Tests against India. He followed up his 242 in Adelaide with 257 in the Boxing Day Test as Australia won by nine wickets. It was the fourth highest Test score at the MCG. -
Against England, Old Trafford
For all the match-winning knocks, the one that taps into the hard, uncompromising, feisty Tasmanian devil was one to save his country in the 2005 Ashes series.
Ponting dug in to defy the England bowlers for 411 minutes and 275 deliveries. He was the ninth man out, caught down the legside by keeper Geraint Jones off Andrew Flintoff. -
Against South Africa, Sydney
It is a record that could stand forever as Ricky Ponting scored a century in each innings of his 100th Test match.
He scored 120 in the first innings to save his team and then an unbeaten 143 in a brilliant run chase as Australia beat South Africa by eight wickets. -
Against England, Sydney
A major blemish on Ponting’s career was 2005, when Australia lost an Ashes series for the first time in 18 years. The defeat hurt, but revenge was swift and sweet with Australia’s first Ashes clean sweep in 86 years. In a golden summer, culminating in the retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer, Australia punished the Poms. -
Against New Zealand, Adelaide
Brett Lee was the bowler and he described it as “the most amazing catch I’ve ever seen." Ponting was not only a brilliant batsman, he was the best fielder of his generation. Among many highlights, his full length dive and right-hand catch to dismiss Kiwi batsman Jamie How was extraordinary. -
Against South Africa, Newlands
There is nothing more satisfying than a fourth-innings century that leads your team to victory. Ponting hit the final ball off Paul Adams for six to reach three figures and wrap up a four-wicket win against South Africa a decade ago. It was his 10th Test ton.
