Australian legend Ricky Ponting has played a lot of cricket for the national side and is regarded as one of the greats to have graced the game. He was involved in many intense battles throughout his career and most often has come out winning. He also happens to be one of cricket’s most successful leaders.
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Ponting represented Australia in 168 Tests and on this occasion, he opened up on being a part of the “most remarkable Test series” he ever played. Australia toured India for a three-match Test series in 2001, which the hosts won by a margin of 2-1. After a dominant win in the first Test at Mumbai, Australia lost the next two in turn losing the series 1-2. India, after being enforced a follow-on, came back strong to win the Kolkata Test and the hosts even managed to clinch a thriller in Chennai to win the series.
The 2001 series is still fresh in many fans’ mind and inarguable one of the most intense series ever played. It is interesting on Ponting’s part, as many would have thought one of The Ashes 2005 to be the most intense series ever played.
Ponting, in a report from PTI was quoted as saying, “2001 series was probably the most remarkable Test series I have played in. We lost the series but the level of cricket that was played and the intensity with which the series was played, the audience in attendance right through the series was unbelievable.”
The second Test at Kolkata is widely reckoned for Harbhajan Singh‘s hat-trick and VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid’s awe-inspiring partnership. Laxman recorded his finest performance in Test cricket and helped India in returning from the dead with his scintillating knock 281 after being forced to follow on. India won an implausible Test by 171 runs and squared the series by 1-1. On this Ponting said, “All finishing off..going to Kolkata… when you ask (commentator) Harsha Bhogle about his most memorable Test match, pretty sure the Kolkata Test will be one right at the top. (VVS) Laxman 280, (Rahul) Dravid 180, after being enforced follow on, India declared a few hundreds in the front and just had over a session to bowl us out and they did. It was not our proudest moment, but certainly one of Indian cricket’s proudest moment. Then went on to the third Test (in Chennai), that ended up with India hanging on, to win the series. Remarkable series.”
The series decider was played at Chennai, and India gave it all to win the Test and further claim the series. History was scripted, as the series, which once looked a cakewalk for Australia was now won by India.
Ponting also spoke about the upcoming series between Australia and South Africa and said it will be a great contest. “Whenever Australia and South Africa compete, it is generally a pretty good contest. Australian boys will have to be at the top of the game (and) all and it should be a great series,” Ponting added. South Africa will take on Australia in three Tests and five One-Day Internationals(ODIs).