Not very often does the focus shift to an individual even as a champion outfit is out proving why it is the World No. 1 team in the world of cricket. It has to be different and the scenes at the WACA (Perth) on December 3, 2012, could be easily frozen in memory – Ricky Ponting has played his last Test match.
The typical early hesitant starts from Ponting, then the trademark, imperious pull shots or the extravagant stroke-play when in his element will now be part of history for sure. And not to forget that he was a fantastic fielder too with 196 catches in Tests and 160 in ODIs and a centurion with a huge difference — featuring in a record-breaking 108 Test wins in all.
This former Australian captain who redefined what aggression on the field means and often led by example has taken a final call on bowing out of the sport – not giving the chance for the selectors to decide his fate.
The final day of the Test match, even as South Africa drubbed the home team to retain its No. 1 status was certainly not all about statistics. And, quite fittingly, everyone who was present the venue ensured that Ponting will love to remember his last Test – if not for his batting – but for some of the touching gestures from different quarters. After all, it was the end of a glorious career dotted with some extraordinary feats spreading over 17 years, 168 Tests and 375 one-dayers.
It is remarkable that Ponting chose the venue (Perth) for his final foray for it was here he made 96 on Test debut in 1995 when a doubtful decision denied him the rare feat of a century in his maiden Test.
More importantly, South African captain Graeme Smith, who is on record to say later that Ponting was the cricketer he respected the most, ensured that the Aussie will surely have fond memories when the team accorded a ‘guard of honour’ with the players lining up on either side. And, it was terrific when Smith lunged forward to shake hands with Ponting and even pat him on the back.
It is a different issue that the former Australian captain failed to get going in the final Test. In the second essay left-arm spinner Robin Peterson forced him to snick, on the backfoot, to another contemporary legend Jacques Kallis to compete the catch after the champion batsman scored just eight runs.
It was good to see Ponting’s illustrious teammate Adam Gilchrist share a few moments in the dressing room before the former went out to bat. The standing ovation which followed soon was understandable given his stature in world cricket and the fact that it was one last time he is doing that.
Finally, the most emotional moments which captured the imagination of many were when Ponting walked back to the pavilion after yet another failure. The South Africans competed with each other to ‘chase’ the respected rival and pat him on the back. Speedster Dale Steyn doffed off his cap to greet the great cricketer. Ponting himself responded to the appreciation from the stands by pausing for a few moments, raised his two hands as if to convey that he is bidding adieu a visibly contented man.
Even the great South African fast bowler Alan Donald (fast bowling coach of his team here) rolled his arm over the wonderful cricketer near the boundary line.
His wife Rianna was among those who shared Ponting’s final moments when he walked through the tunnel into the dressing room for the last time in his illustrious career.
