In January 1999, a 24-year old Ricky Ponting held a press conference with a blackened eye.
He told the media he had a drinking problem.
He divulged that the black eye was the result of a drunken brawl in a club and that he would be seeking counselling.
He told the media he had a drinking problem.
He divulged that the black eye was the result of a drunken brawl in a club and that he would be seeking counselling.
Most people saw a careless brat not valuing the opportunity to play for Australia.
Few saw a young man who had the courage to face the media with a black eye and concede he had a problem.
The young man would eventually take Australia to its greatest heights.
Few saw a young man who had the courage to face the media with a black eye and concede he had a problem.
The young man would eventually take Australia to its greatest heights.
We are in December, well into the yearly Australian summer. I remember as a kid, I would invariably have a 5 o'clock alarm throughout these months to watch the magic of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and the likes.
But the biggest motivation was to watch Ricky Ponting stride out to bat at number 3 with intent.
He walked to the crease like a man in search of an adventure. He owned the pitch, and he made sure the opposition knew that with his swivelling pull shots off the front foot.
He walked to the crease like a man in search of an adventure. He owned the pitch, and he made sure the opposition knew that with his swivelling pull shots off the front foot.
I loved to watch him dominate bowling attacks around the world, including India.
The style, the arrogance, the swag, the aura...it was an honour to watch Ponting at work. The glint in his eye told the opposition he meant business.
The style, the arrogance, the swag, the aura...it was an honour to watch Ponting at work. The glint in his eye told the opposition he meant business.
The world hated him, for the major part, and the best thing was, he did not give a damn about it.
The tiny eyed man with a boyish grin conquered the world, and retired as the most successful cricketer the game has ever seen.
The tiny eyed man with a boyish grin conquered the world, and retired as the most successful cricketer the game has ever seen.
I remember being numb on the morning he announced his retirement. And to watch Michael Clarke break down at the presser added to it.
The fact that I won't be able to watch him bat again took a while to sink in. I felt like I had grown old.
The fact that I won't be able to watch him bat again took a while to sink in. I felt like I had grown old.
Belated happy birthday Punter, it's been eight years since you've retired. But I still miss my 5 o'clock alarm.
#RickyPonting
#RickyPonting
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