Ricky Ponting Australian captain to lose the Ashes twice. Despite not being a selector, Ponting was heavily criticised for Australia not playing Hauritz and his apparent reluctance to put faith in his spinners. He was questioned, particularly on Australia's recent habit of often not playing a specialist/regular spinner. Instances of these were the first three Tests in India, the omission of Krejza for the First Test against New Zealand immediately after taking 12 wickets on debut, and opting for no spinner in the first two Tests in South Africa. On 7 September 2009, Ponting announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket in
Ricky Ponting first class debut for the county. Ponting scored an unbeaten 169 against Nottinghamshire in his final first class innings, ensuring his team held on for a draw. During the Ashes 2013, Ponting wrote a regular column for the Daily Mail. At the formal opening of the Bellerive Oval redevelopment in January 2015, it was announced that the new Western Stand would be named the "Ricky Ponting Stand" in his honour. On December 9, 2015 Ponting also unveiled a bronze statue placed at the ground in his honour. Ponting was known as an aggressive competitor, as manifested in his on-field conduct.