Image courtesy of: news.com.au

Ponting represented the Hobart Hurricanes during the BBL

Network Ten have announced that former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will be joining the commentary team for this year’s edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Ponting will take up his post as a commentator after recently announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket, effective from October.

Ponting made his international debut at the age of 20 and held the esteemed title of captain from 2004 till 2011.

Besides being the most successful Australian captain in history, with 48 wins out of 77 Test matches, Ponting is also the second-highest Test run-scorer, with India’s Sachin Tendulkar still holding on to the top spot.

In addition to all his cricketing achievements and records, Ponting has also found time to give back to society after he and his wife Rianna raised more than $10 million since 2002 to help cancer patients.

In 2008, the couple also established the Ponting Foundation to help with their fundraising efforts.

“We are honoured that Ricky has agreed to join our new cricket commentary team,” Network Ten CEO, Hamish McLennan, said.

Ponting himself noted that he was very excited to be commentating during one of the biggest domestic Twenty20 tournaments on the cricket calender.

I’m very excited to be joining Network Ten and being part of their commentary team this summer,” he said. “I can’t wait for it all to start in December.”

Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, also welcomed Ponting aboard.

“I have long admired Ricky’s remarkable contribution to our country through cricket,” Barham said. “His sportsmanship, professionalism, leadership and reputation are second to none. We are thrilled to have Ricky join our team.”