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The Roar

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Australia loses greatest ODI player

21st February, 2012
11

There’s little doubt Ricky Ponting’s one-day career was the finest by an Australian in the game’s history.

There’s the 375 matches, a whopping 13,704 runs – second only to India great Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list, 160 catches, four World Cup finals with three titles including two as captain and a span of 17 years.

In the end the 37-year-old’s finish in ODI cricket was about the only thing that could be labelled as forgettable in his 50-over career for his country.

Following a run of five single-figure scores in this summer’s tri-series against Sri Lanka and India Ponting’s time had come to an end.

Selectors announced on Monday Ponting had been dropped and, while he didn’t officially retire on Tuesday, the man himself confirmed he didn’t expect to play again at one-day international level.

“I don’t expect to be recalled into the one-day side,” he told reporters.

“John (Inverarity, chairman of selectors) made it pretty clear to me yesterday that he doesn’t expect for me to be playing one-day cricket again.

“That’s where it is for me.”

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Despite the sudden ending the former captain leaves the one-day arena satisfied with his achievements.

“I’ve been lucky to be a part of a lot of great teams,” he said, adding his unbeaten 140 in the 2003 World Cup final was as a highlight.

“I said then that that was the best moment of my cricket life and to date it still is.”

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