XtraTime Web Desk: On this day in 2003, Ricky Ponting led Australia to an emphatic victory over India in the World Cup final played at Wanderers. The former Australia captain chose to display his prized possession, the two bats he used during his carnage against the Indian bowling line up on that day. Ponting scored an unbeaten 140 runs which helped Australia post a daunting 359/2. He shared an unbeaten 234 runs partnership with Damien Martyn who scored 88*. Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden gave the Aussies a brilliant start, scoring more than hundred for the first wicket.
At a time when everyone is keeping indoors just to be safe due to the infectious coronavirus pandemic, Ponting chose to share the images of his bats. He tweeted, “Given we’ve all got a bit of time on our hands as we stay at home, thought I’d go through what I’ve kept from my career and share some of it with everyone on a regular basis – this is the bat I used in the 2003 World Cup final.”
Given we've all got a bit of time on our hands as we stay at home, thought I'd go through what I've kept from my career and share some of it with everyone on a regular basis – this is the bat I used in the 2003 World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/meoBP6NJvg
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) March 23, 2020
In an innings which was filled with some classic pull shots, Punter hit four 4’s and eight sixes. Chasing a daunting total of 360 runs to win, India could only manage 234 runs. Virender Sehwag was the top scorer for India with 82 runs.
Ricky Ponting was one of the most legendary Australian batsmen and captains to have played the game. In an ODI career spanning little over 17 years, Ponting scored 13704 runs that included 30 tons in 365 innings.