Botham, Lara, Pietersen & more: Twitter reacts to Ponting’s retirement
Ian Botham, Brian Lara and Kevin Pietersen tweet their thoughts after Australia legend Ricky Ponting announces his retirement
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting called time on his international Test career on Thursday.
The 37-year-old earned 167 caps and scored 13,366 runs during a 17-year career, and his team-mates and opponents hailed the batsman’s achievements on Twitter.
England bowler Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) heaps praise on Ponting: “You have to take your hat off to Ricky Ponting calling time on a magnificent career. Hell of a player.”
England legend Ian Botham (@BeefyBotham) is ready to take on Ponting on the golf courses: “Another great player retires… Aussie legend Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting! Fabulous career….now lookout the golf courses of the world!!”
Kevin Pietersen (@kevinpp24) hails a legend: “Ricky Ponting retires…. ONE OF THE GREATS! I always got excited playing Australia, so I could watch him bat up close. Well done Punter! #legend”
England bowler Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) can see Ponting hitting a century in his final Test: “Huge respect for how Ponting played the game. Tough competitor Aussies will miss him. 100 at Perth to finish?”
West Indies legend Brian Lara (@BrianLara) has his say: “‘I know I’ve given my all, It’s been life for 20 years. Not much more I can give,’ Ponting said. Ricky you will go down as one of the greats!”
England all-rounder Luke Wright (@lukewright204) is honoured to have faced Ponting: “Sad to see Ricky Ponting retiring. Absolute legend of the game. So proud to have played international cricket against him.”
Ponting’s former team-mate Shane Warne (@warne888) praises his former skipper: “Congratulations to Ricky Ponting on an amazing career, well done Punter…Enjoy your last match in Perth buddy, was a pleasure playing with you !!!”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) describes Ponting as the best batsman he has faced: “The best batsman I had the privilege to play against … Ricky Ponting… #Punter Australia cricket will not be the same without him… he was very underestimated bowler as well… Quicker than he looks…!!!”
England wicketkeeper Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) agrees: “Congrats to Ricky Ponting on an amazing career. One of, if not the best batsmen, I’ve ever played against and fierce opponent!#legendofthegame”
Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath (glennmcgrath11) pays tribute to his friend: “Well done Punter on an incredible career. It would be great to see you finish with a ton. It was an honour to play alongside you.”
Ex-Australia opener Matthew Hayden (HaydosTweets) adds some mind words: “Punter, congratulations on a fantastic career. Your departure will be a massive hole in the Australian cricket team.”
Finally, cricket fan and former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) hopes to see the former Australia captain still in the sport: “Ricky Ponting calls it a day ….What a career – let’s hope he stays in cricket in some capacity #Punter!”
