Love him or hate him, the man has probably had more written about him by us amateurs than anyone else. OK, that's probably not true, but he does get written about a lot.
And now he's gone. Many will rejoice, because he was a fantastic cricketer - in Australia, second only to the great Don Bradman himself - and one of cricket's most successful captains (although they'll say it's only because they thought he was a horrible person and they "respect him as a cricketer". OK.); others, myself and Ian included, will be a bit sad. Others will be angry that he seems to have had so little support of late and concerned that this will be used as a band aid by Cricket Australia while other, deeper problems are left to fester.
Well, we'll just have to wait and see on that last bit. For now let's celebrate the last year or two of Ricky Ponting's career according to the blog world:
Back in 2008, Ian celebrates Ponting finally finding some form - sadly, something that will be a problem for the next couple of years.
About a year later, everyone's second favourite Kiwi (well, he should be), Martyd posted this one: A Lunchtime Introduction. Actually, Martyd has done some great Ponting stuff and it was a tough choice, but this is definitely one of my favourites.
As ever, Jrod and The Skiver have a lot to say about ... well, everything ... and I could've spent a day choosing a post about Ponting. But I didn't, I went for this one from December 2009: URGENT NEWS!
And from the same month, Sarah Ansell shows us another of her lovely photos, this one with the man himself.
And she may be a bloody Saffa, but in February 2010 the lovely Antionette (aka mspr1nt) coudn't help lamenting South Africa's inability to produce a Ricky Ponting. I shall remind her of this forever more.
Sometime in August 2010, Wes exhibited that feeling toward Ponting that all Aussie supporters have had from time to time - please, please stop saying shit to the media!
In November 2010, in a post that is painful in hindsight, Masuud warns us all not to count out the influence of Australia under Ponting.
In December 2010, Our Soulberry at the CWJ joins the discussion on whether or not Ponting should remain captain of Australia; Golandaaz, the man of opinions, claims no one likes Ponting and wonders what he would be like if he were Indian.
And in the same month, in probably the best attempt to parody the famous "Ashes of English Cricket" piece from the 1880s (there have been a few lately), Sunny posts this one: RIP Aussie Cricket
And as we come into 2011 and the World Cup and yet more discussions on whether or not Ponting should remain our captain, the following appear. Go take a look, they're worth it:
The Baggy Green Blog: Ricky Ponting: still a champ, always a champ
Cricket=Action=Art: Walk on
Cricket with Balls: Ricky, take a bow
And reflecting the attitude of many cricket fans whose team has been intimidated by Ponting over the years, Poshin's World with Taking the mickey out of Ricky
The man divides opinion, there's no doubt about it. You know what? I bet he loves it.
10 thoughts on this post:
Kirby, thanks for this article Fantastic to reel in all the bloggers! Cheers for taking the time to place links on a few of my articles.
The great moment you missed on was when Punter & Watto caned the Poms in the Champions Trophy semi-final with their 252 run partnership, the highest ODI partnership for Aus ever, where Punter scored his 28th century. Good days.
Good times are ahead for the man as he can now focus on his primary skill and apply himself with less pressure all around him. Testing times ahead but it's incredible that the reign has come to an end.
Thanks again, had a good time sifting through the other guys articles. Shows what an admired cricketer Punter still is!
*I remember that article, URGENT NEWS. Thought it was amusing.
You know what, Sid? I bet Ricky doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks of him. That is one of his greatest strengths.
Well, maybe he cares what AB thinks of him. He's still a bit of a fanboy there.
lou
I threw in my two cents on Punter some time back as well. Check it out!
http://thecricketmusings.blogspot.com/2011/03/world-cup-2011-angry-punter.html
Great work in collecting the articles, Sid!
Thanks Kirby; :)
Punter was a pretty decent bloke I have to say, despite all his tantrums, his on field problems with umpires, and his proud self;
I'm not his biggest fan but at the same time I do respect him as Skipper as he gave his best for Australia. In a recent interview he said that he would gladly give back all his hundred and some odd runs he scored against India in the QF back if it meant Australia go through. That struck a chord in me and tells volumes of this man and his commitment.
He'll be missed but Australia I feel needs his bat more than his leadership and that they have.
Guys, there were so many pieces I could've included here but that would have been overkill and you would have had to spend an age reading them all. I'm sorry to anyone whose article I missed; it wasn't anything personal I promise.
You might be right, Lou, but something in the way he smirks when he gets asked about some behavioural incident, or whether he will stand down yet again, makes me think he just loves to be the centre of this attention. Or possibly he just thinks it's funny that people are so obsessed. It is.
I really hope he gets to play still. If he can get some more good figures under his belt before he retires properly, it can only be a good thing for him. Let him go back to life without the pressures of the captaincy and hopefully he can finish his career on a high.
Erm Sid, what was the 'Ashes of English Cricket' piece? I honestly don't know.
My post seems like some coincidence now. :)
Didn't I give a link? Or are you telling me you don't know what the Ashes of English cricket piece was?
Oh, Sunny. For Shame.
This is why the series is called The Ashes
Oh well, you seemed to be writing a parody of it, but apparently not!
*bows head in shame*
I really had no idea, even googled for it and didn't find it. Seems like I still lack a whole lot of cricket knowledge.
Thanks for the link though. :)
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