Ricky Ponting a better person after quitting captaincy, says wife

Rianna says the former Australian Test skipper is training hard despite having family responsibilities © Getty Images

By CricketCountry Staff

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Sydney: Jan 4, 2012

 

Rianna Ponting believes that her husband, Ricky Ponting is better off as a person after stepping down as the captain of the Australian side a year ago.

 

“It’s changed our life. He’s so much more relaxed. He’s a better dad. He’s a better husband.

 

He does train a lot harder than what he used to when he’s not on tour,” Rianna told the Daily Telegraph.

 

Ponting has two daughters Emmy, 3 and Matisse, 4 months but that didn’t stop him from training hard or overlook his responsibilities as a cricketer.

 

An elated Mrs Ponting told, “I’ve just said to him, as long as you keep loving it as much as you do, keep going. A big score’s around the corner.”

 

“He proved that today. He’s had a good summer and he has a few more left. Hopefully there’s another big score around the corner.”

 

Ponting is much more relaxed and Rianna feels he has gets time to take care of both the field and the family life.

 

Rianna is happy that after Michael Clarke took over the captaincy of the team, Ricky has found time for the family.

 

“He’s got a passion for this game and to get a hundred with Michael means so much to him , you can see that when he got it. He’s worked hard and it paid off.”

 

“Maybe he looks around at these 21-year-olds who weren’t even born when he started because he’s so old now, he looks around at them and knows he has to keep up.”

 

For now the family will be celebrating his 40th ton which comes in the 100th Test match in Sydney.

 

“I’m going to put champagne in the fridge so he will be (celebrating).”