Published: Oct 19, 2015, 08:55 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 19, 2015, 08:58 AM (IST)
Ricky Ponting is set to join the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh and Shane Warne when he’ll be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. The athletes are supposed to have retired for two years before they get eligible for the nomination and with the achievements lists if Ponting, this news is not surprising. The 40-year-old, who played his last match for his country at the WACA in December 2012 and retired from First-Class cricket with a final match for Surrey at The Oval in mid-2013, shares the Australian record for most Tests with Steve Waugh, and has scored more Test runs (13,378) and more centuries (41) than any other countryman. READ: Darren Lehmann excited for Steven Smith led young Australian side against New
According to cricket.com.au, Ponting said, “Cricket Australia are trying to get me involved in coaching in some way, shape or form. It’s been spoken about over the last couple of months.”
Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more Test runs overall, and only the Indian iconic cricketer and South African great Jacques Kallis have produced more tons.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia’s executive general manager of team performance Pat Howard confirmed the desire of bringing Ponting into the coaching in the wake of the humiliating Ashes defeat earlier in August. “I am certainly very open to getting him involved and we would love to have him on board,” Howard said. READ: Michael Hussey: Shaun Marsh deserves chance in 1st Test against New Zealand
Ponting who now mixes his IPL coaching duties with his KFC Big Bash League commentary role with Network TEN revealed that he is keen on getting a coaching opportunity. “I know Boof (Darren Lehmann) would love me to be able to help out, but with my Big Bash TV commentary commitments it’s a little bit hard to do it just yet. I’d honestly love to be back working with the Australian team because I’d like to think I have a lot to give,” he said.
“I just love the young blokes I finished up playing with, the Warners, the Smiths, Nathan Lyon and guys just coming on when I was finishing. The last couple of years (as a player) were as much about me being a mentor, helping young blokes as much as I could. I’d love to get back to doing that — it might even be a cricket academy role — but it’s not as easy as it sounds, unfortunately,” the two-times World Cup-winner skipper added.
