Australia’s all-time leading Test batsman and most successful captain, Ricky Ponting, has announced his retirement from international cricket. He had already called a halt on his captaincy of the Test and one-day team in March last year, but continued on as a player.
Ricky Ponting and his team have every reason to feel decidedly morbid. Yesterday’s annihilation has brought a collective grumble from local newspapers that have likened the national side to a “toothpick trying to derail a speeding bullet train.” There have even been calls for Shane Warne to drop the commentary mic and grab the kookaburra. Desperate times.