Ricky Ponting (born 19 December 1974 in Launceston, Tasmania), nicknamed Punter, is the current captain of the Australian cricket team. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very occasional bowler. He represents the Tasmanian Tigers in Australian domestic cricket and played in the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008.Ricky Ponting, the most uncompromising player of his generation, grew into AustraliaS-B-Cs most successful run-maker and only sits below Bradman in the countryS-B-Cs overall ratings. It takes an extremely critical eye to diminish his run-scoring achievements, which seem to collect new records in every series.

Like spotting a celebrity, itS-B-Cs necessary to look twice when analyzing Ponting, first as the archetypal modern batsman, then as the countryS-B-Cs 42nd Test captain. There is no doubt about his greatness after taking guard, but his leadership has been under scrutiny for much of his reign. While his blade has sparkled, his stewardship is pock-marked by two Ashes defeats in England, the first since Billy Murdoch in the 19th century to achieve the feat, and stumbles to South Africa and India. He was born in Launceston, Tasmania on 19 December 1974; Ricky Ponting is the eldest of Graeme and Lorraine PontingS-B-Cs four children. Graeme was "a good club cricketer" and played Australian rules, while Lorraine was a state vigoro champion.