Ponting will captain Surrey in Smith’s absence
Surrey may have considered themselves lucky after South African captain Graeme Smith agreed to sign a three-year deal with the club, but they may now be seen as real contenders to win the county league this year after reaching an agreement with former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting.
While Ponting will only be with the club for June and July until Smith is free to take over, this marks a new trend, whereby some of the bigger names in international cricket are signing with English counties during a gap period in their schedules.
Many cricket pundits were surprised that Ponting agreed to sign with Surrey, especially after he refused to play for Somerset last year, despite having no international commitments at the time.
The 38-year-old could very well represent Surrey in four county games against Warwickshire, Sussex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, while also playing in two Yorkshire Bank 40 League matches against Essex and Lancashire.
The former Australian captain is also highly likely to play in the group stages of the Friends Life Twenty20, where he will team up with England rival Kevin Pietersen to form one of the best middle order batting line-ups that county cricket may have seen in a long time.
Surrey will be hoping to put their past season, which was an absolute disaster, behind them and increase attendance during matches after having signed both Ponting and Smith.
Ponting has just come off an outstanding season in the Sheffield Shield in Australia where Tasmania, the side he represents, won the league this year.
Ponting’s career statistics are those of a legend and the records he set throughout his time in the game will live on for a long time.
Having scored 13,378 Test runs at an outstanding average of 51.85, along with 13,704 ODI runs at an average of 42.03 and 23,657 first-class runs at a brilliant average of 55.27, Surrey will consider themselves to be extremely fortunate to have acquired the services of one of the best in the business.
Surrey will also be hoping that Ponting replicates his form with Somerset in 2004, when he averaged an unbelievable 99 after scoring three centuries in three league matches and four limited overs games.
The ex-Australian captain stated that he was looking forward to representing Surrey at the start of the new season.
“I’d like to think I can contribute a significant amount to the club – on and off the field – and am looking forward to getting stuck in as soon as I arrive,” Ponting said. “They are a forward thinking and historic club and play at one of the greatest grounds in the world. It hasn’t been the friendliest place for me but now it will be my home for two months this summer.”
Ponting has never made a century at The Oval throughout his entire career, with his highest Test score there being 66 in the four Tests he played at the venue.
His highest score at The Oval across all three formats is 92, which he scored in his final ODI at the ground back in 2010.
Smith noted that Ponting was a perfect role model to have at the club and believes the side will excel under his experience and guidance.
“I was proud that they were looking at him,” Smith said. “I have a lot of respect for Ricky. Hopefully both of us will be able to create some new philosophies at the club and hopefully we will have success there.”
Surrey Team Director Chris Adams was also ecstatic to have signed one of the legends of the game.
“We knew we would lose Graeme to the Champions Trophy in June,” Adams said. “That given, we focused on recruiting the best possible replacement and, in Ricky Ponting, we have signed one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era.
“This year, our young batsmen will enjoy a unique opportunity to learn from not just one but two of the greatest International players of the modern age.”