Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday praised Ricky Ponting as a great bloke as former players also hailed the batsman, who stepped down as the country's Test and ODI captain
Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday praised Ricky Ponting as a "great bloke" as former players also hailed the batsman, who stepped down as the country's Test and ODI captain.
Gillard said she had called to congratulate Ponting on his achievements, after he quit the captaincy in the wake of last week's World Cup exit at the hands of India.
"To play that kind of role for Australia is an enormous privilege and I know from talking to Ricky today that he has felt that privilege," Gillard told reporters.
"He's our greatest batsman after (Don) Bradman... I think all of us would wish him well in whatever he chooses to do for the balance of his life.
"He's still a very young man but many, many accolades are going to flow in the direction of Ponting."
