Ponting was a treat to watch: Yuvraj

Kolkata, Dec 3 (IANS) Describing Australian great Ricky Ponting, who retired from international cricket, as his favourite, India batsman Yuvraj Singh Monday said he was amazed by the attitude of the lion-hearted player.

“Sad Ricky Ponting has retired! But was amazed with his attitude on the field a lion hearted player! Specially the way he fielded,” tweeted Yuvraj, who is in the city along with the Indian team for the Test match against England at the Eden Gardens beginning Wednesday.

Ponting left the game as Australia’s all-time leading Test batsman Monday after the final Test match against South Africa in Perth, the very place where he made his Test debut in 1995.

“One of my fav(ourite) and greats of the game has retired! So long punter (Ponting) u were a treat to watch. Last big motive for younger guys would be the Ponting innings of 140 in the world cup final (2003) against India (that) took the game away from us,” read Yuvraj’s twitter post.

Ponting hung his boots after playing 168 Test matches, scoring 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85 with a highest of 257. He also scored 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. In One-Day Internationals (ODI), the former Australia skipper played 375 matches scoring 13,704 runs, including 30 centuries with a highest score of 164.

IANS 2012-12-03 19:14:30