Ricky Ponting bid goodbye to Test cricket on Monday, putting an end to his 17-year-old career, with the crowd giving him a standing ovation and the South African players led by Captain Graeme Smith applauding him as he walked out of the WACA Ground after falling for just eight runs in his last innings.
[PHOTOS OF RICKY PONTING'S FAREWELL MATCH]
The 37-year-old former Australian captain announced retirement from Test cricket a few days ago following poor performance in the home series against South Africa.
Ponting's test career ended on a sad note with Australia losing the series 0-1 to South Africa after conceding defeat in the final and deciding match by 309 runs on Monday, and his contribution in the farewell series was just 32 runs but his achievement during his two decade-long career is incredible.
He scored 13,378 Test runs at an average of 51.85, including 41 centuries, making him the world's second-highest run scorer, with only Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scoring more runs than him. He shares the record for most Test appearances with his predecessor Steve Waugh; he played his 168 Test match on Friday.
Ponting, who made his Test debut in 1995, became Australian team captain in 2004 and went one to become the most successful skipper, winning more Tests than his Australian counterparts in the past.
He was given an emotional welcome to the crease with the South Africans forming a guard of honour for the man who was set to play his last Test match. The players and crowd paid tribute to him with huge applaud even as he walked off the ground after giving away his wicket to spinner Robin Peterson and he acknowledged them by raising his arms towards the skies.
