The unveiling of the Ricky Ponting statue at Blundstone Arena today is yet another milestone in a stellar career of one of Tasmania’s sporting greats.
Ricky Ponting played cricket with great style, and led our country with distinction, inspiring generations of Tasmanians and cricket lovers across the world.
As a child prodigy at the crease for the Mowbray Cricket Club it was clear that there was something special about Punter.
On the world stage he became Australia’s leading run scorer in Tests and One Day Internationals, and one of only four batsmen to have scored 13,000 test runs.
Arguably one of his greatest legacies was his contribution to the game as captain of Australia.
At just 29, he had the likes of McGrath, Gilchrist and Warne in his starting 11, and thrived on this responsibility.
The record books show that R.T. Ponting is one of the most successful captains of all time, winning more Tests than any other Australian captain and leading Australia through two World Cup campaigns undefeated in 2003 and 2007.
As a state, we have been there, celebrating every run and every victory, taking huge pride in calling Ricky one of our own.
The statue unveiled today, and the grandstand named in Ricky’s honour, will serve as an enduring reminder of an outstanding sportsman and proud Tasmanian.
When Tasmanians do well on the world stage we all walk a bit taller, and Punter has made us walk tall on so many occasions.
Will Hodgman, Premier
