Ponting becomes the most successful Test captain ever in the history of cricket

Ricky Ponting carved his name out in the history books of Test cricket with golden letters as a player and captain with most number of Test wins, when Australia defeated Pakistan in the Boxing day test match at Melbourne.

The success at the MCG was the 93rd occasion when Ponting was a part of a winning Australian team. He surpassed legendary spinner Shane Warne, who held the honour with 92 Test wins.

It was also the 42nd time when the skipper had led his country to a Test win, the most by any captain in the history of Test cricket. Ponting achieved this feat by overhauling predecessor Steve Waugh, who has 41 wins under his belt when at the helm.

'They're things I'll probably be most proud of when I'm done. We all play to win games of cricket, and be involved in teams that win a lot of games at cricket. It is a great record within itself, and I've been lucky enough to play in some great teams.

''It's my 42nd win as Test captain as well. They're things I'm very proud of. Hopefully, there are lot more wins around the corner,” Ponting said.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

Ricky Ponting's Profile

Australia beat West Indies to win the Test Series 2-0

Australia snared the one wicket needed to win the third Test against the West Indies in Perth today.  The West Indies, resuming at 9-308, added 15 to their overnight total before being bowled out for 323, handing Australia a 35-run win.

The Windies resumed play perilously placed, needing 51 more runs with just one wicket in hand. And Gavin Tonge (23 not out off 22 balls) threw caution to the wind, slashing away in a bid to whittle off the runs quickly. But the victory target of 359 proved too much, with Roach dismissed in the fourth over of the morning.

Had the West Indies reeled in the total, it would have been the eighth highest successful fourth-innings run chase in Test history.
But it wasn't to be, despite yesterday's best efforts of 26-year-old Narsingh Deonarine (82) and Brendan Nash (65), plus some late hitting from Sulieman Benn (33 off 28 balls).

Australia's win erased some of the demons of last summer, when South Africa cruised to 4-414 to snatch a remarkable victory in Perth. Victorian Clint McKay, making his Test debut, returned figures of 0-45 and 1-56 and will be replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan if the Tasmanian proves he has overcome a knee injury.

Chris Gayle said Australia played the better cricket and deserved to win. "I was proud of players like Adrian Barath and Kemar Roach,'' Gayle said. "I was proud of my own form but disappointed at the same time.'' Gayle was judged man of the match and series.

Australia Vs West Indies Score Card

Source: Cricket Nirvana