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.”
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.”
DanMan
Guest
True Johnno - I think Bevan is really valuable as a saver of an innings. I can't really remember him being a huge influence when Aus was batting first, however when chasing a target with wickets down there was noone better. So it depends how you look at the team - if batting first the he would probably miss my 1st 11, batting second he would be first picked for me.
Jason
Guest
Ponting. Obviously.
Swampy
Guest
If they kept statistics on direct hit runouts then Ponting would probably have more scalps than any other player in history. He's probably run out more batsmen with a direct throw than some of our bowlers have taken wickets. I can't comprehend the vitriol from some quarters towards Ricky Ponting. Maybe he has hung on too long but it shouldn't diminish his place in history. He isn't the first player in history to ever do that! He is and probably will remain (with the likely demise of ODI's) the greatest one day player we will ever have seen. As a total package he had it all. I'm sure that in India there isn't a Roar equivalent that spouts like minded viewpoints about Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin's Australian tour hasn't been great and his fielding is more than just a liability these days. I've heard no one attempt to downplay the significance of Tendulkar's overall career in the way that we have R.T.Ponting's. Shame on youse all! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Johnno
Guest
well who do you drop then DanMan can't have all of them in there.
DanMan
Guest
Can't believe Bevan doesn't make the starting 11.
Johnno
Guest
That team is my team that I Johnno myself would select , the espn article is the official team that was picked.
Johnno
Guest
Best ODI 11 of all time for Australia in batting order 1)Gilchrist 2)Hayden 3)Ponting 4)Dean Jones 5)Steve Waugh 6)Andrew Symonds 7)Simon Odonnell (better than watson in ODI a better hitter late in innings and just as good a bowler maybe watoo a touch better bowler but not much in it O'donnell like steve waugh great slower ball) 8)Brett Lee 9) Shane Warne 10)Dennis Lillee 11) Glen Mcgrath 12th man) Micheal Bevan (Unlucky to miss out Alan Border, Mark Waugh, Shane Watson, Mcdermott, Bruce Reid, Jason Gillepsie, Mike Hussey, Darren Lehmann,Damien Martyn, David Boon, Geoff marsh, Greg matthews lol) This was the official team in 2007 announced for the greatest ODI team ever form Australia in 2007 http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/281759.html
jameswm
Guest
You must be kidding It'd be something like this 1. Gilchrist 2. MWaugh 3. Ponting 4. Jones 5. MHussey 6. Bevan 7. Maybe Watto as all rounder Warnie, McGrath and another couple of quicks. Steve Waugh close
marees
Guest
All the more unfortunate that he should go out in this fashion. ... Axed after beng a stand-by captain in his last match without putting up any fight. In my opinion he should take to coaching the Chinese. The chinese would benefit very much from his all athletic and flowing style of batting.
Dan
Guest
Not in your best XI Jason? Lol youre a comedian -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Jason
Guest
I'm not sure Ponting would necessarily be in my all time Aust ODI XI. Most doesn't equal greatest.