Australian PM congratulates Ponting
March 29th, 2011 - 3:06 pm ICT by IANSSydney, March 29 (IANS) Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard called Ricky Ponting and congratulated him soon after he announced his decision to step down as cricket captain.
Ms Gillard said she had spoken to Ponting Tuesday and offered him the highest congratulations on his splendid career.
“He’s a great bloke and a fantastic cricketer,” she said.
“He’s our greatest batsman after (Sir Don) Bradman. People will still have the opportunity to see him bat. All of us would wish him well in whatever he chooses to do in the balance of his life.”
She said the outgoing skipper richly deserved all the accolades he would receive.
Ponting Tuesday announced he would step down as Australian captain after almost 10 years as leader of the one-day side and seven years at the helm of the Test side.
– Indo-Asian News Service
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