Ricky Ponting names the bowlers who he found tough to face

Ricky Ponting remains to be one of the greats of Australian cricket. The Tasmanian racked up runs at will and sheer authority, helping his team muster wins without dropping much sweat. There was a time when the Aussies were invincible in the Test and ODI format under the leadership of Ponting. In 2003 and 2007, the veteran also led Australia to glory in the World Cup.

He made his Test debut way back in 1995 and he didn’t look back ever since. In 168 Tests, Punter, as he is popularly known, notched 13378 runs at an average of 51.85. During this while, he scored as many as 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. Even eight years after he hung his boots, Ponting has managed to stay amidst the top rankers, showing his class and calibre.

Ponting on top of his game

In the ODI format, Ponting was a stalwart as well. The right-hander went on to play 375 games in the format and notched 13704 runs at an average of 42.03. There he scored 30 tons and 82 half-centuries, stamping his authority. Ponting also had the privilege of playing five T20Is where he managed 401, averaging a reasonable 28.64 with a top score of an unbeaten 98.

Ponting went on to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. He started with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after which he moved to the Mumbai Indians (MI). He is currently a part of the commentary panel in the 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Amidst the busy schedule, Ponting decided to conduct a Question and Answer session on Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “Got some spare time before BBL tonight, anyone got any questions? Will try to answer as many as possible,”

Replying to the tweet, a fan asked him about the bowlers he didn’t quite like facing. The supporter wrote, “Who did you least like facing,”

Ponting named Wasim Akram and Curtly Ambrose as the most lethal fast bowlers he faced. But he termed Shoaib Akhtar as the quickest. Ponting also admitted his tendency to give his wicket away to Harbhajan Singh.

Ponting reverted and wrote. “Wasim Akram and Curtly Ambrose were easily the best fast bowlers I’ve ever faced. Shoaib Akhtar clearly the quickest but Harbhajan Singh got me out more than anybody,”

Here is Ricky Ponting’s reply

Wasim Akram and Curtly Ambrose were easily the best fast bowlers I've ever faced. Shoaib Akhtar clearly the quickest but Harbhajan Singh got me out more than anybody https://t.co/17bIbPD6H3

— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) January 12, 2020