Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting was born in Launceston and as a boy lived over the back fence from the Mowbray Cricket Club and dreamed of one day playing cricket for his country.

The dream came true.

Ricky became one of the most influential cricketers Australia has ever produced and would finish his international cricket career with the most victories as an Australian captain. Ricky was the Australian Cricket Captain from 2004-2011 and his successes included 48 victories in 77 Tests. He was also part of three successful World Cup campaigns (two as Captain), which also included a 34 match winning streak.

Ricky made his A-grade debut at the age of 14, playing for the Mowbray Cricket Club. At the age of 17, Ricky was the youngest to ever play for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield. In 1995, Ricky, aged 20, made his debut playing for Australia in a one day international (ODI). It was a proud moment to don the Baggy Green.

Ricky played 168 Tests and 375 one day internationals, including 230 as captain making him the most-capped Australian and fifth-most overall.

Ricky is one of Australia’s leading run scorers with 13,378 Test match runs; 13,704 runs in ODIs, and 30 ODI centuries. He is the first Australian and fourth overall to achieve 10,000 runs in Tests and ODIs.

Ricky was possibly Australia’s greatest ever fieldsman and holds the record with most catches (196), is the only player to have appeared in 100 Test victories, and is one of two Australians to hit three double-centuries in a calendar year.

Ricky’s sporting achievements include:

* Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2003 and one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year for 2006
* International Cricket Council Player of the Year 2006 and 2007
* International Cricket Council Test Player of the Year 2003, 2004 and 2007
* International Cricket Council Captain of the Year 2007
* Australian One Day International Player of the Year in 2002 and 2007
* Australian Test Player of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2007
* Allan Border Medallist a record four times in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009
* Ashes ‘Man of the Series’ 2006/07
* Sheffield Shield Player of the Year 2012/13

In 2011, Ricky was inducted into the Australian Institute of Sport ‘Best of the Best’ and, in 2015 as a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Away from the cricket field, Ricky and his wife, Rianna, have raised in excess of $10 million to help young Australians and their families beat cancer.

In 2008 Ricky and Rianna, co-founded the Ponting Foundation, a registered charity that raises funds to help young Australians and their families fight cancer.

In 2012 Ricky was appointed as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO); not only for his extraordinary cricketing achievements, but also for his distinguished service to the community through the establishment of the Ponting Foundation. Ricky is now a highly sought-after commentator including his work on TEN Network’s award-winning Big Bash League coverage.