Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard praised Ricky Ponting as a "great bloke" Tuesday as former players also hailed the batsman, who stepped down as the country's Test and one-day 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.
Ponting is Australia's most successful Test captain and its leading Test run-scorer, but was under growing pressure after losing his third Ashes series against England and relinquishing his team's 12-year hold on the World Cup.
"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 Ricky Ponting today and in the coming days and let me lend my voice to congratulate a great bloke and fantastic cricketer."
Australian Cricketers' Association President and former team-mate Michael Kasprowicz said Ponting, who remains available for selection, had made an outstanding contribution as skipper.
"Ricky has been a magnificent team leader who has excelled in all forms of the game in all kinds of conditions," Kasprowicz said.
"On countless occasions he has carved an innings of strength to truly lead from the front on the big stage and was an inspirational figure to play under."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said via Twitter: "Respect to Ricky Ponting. Never easy giving up something that you love doing. Lots of runs still in him though. Bowlers beware."
Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke paid tribute to Ponting's leadership.
"Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," Clarke said in a statement.
"His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain.
"Those close to the team know his true worth in guiding his players and setting a personal example of commensurate professionalism, particularly in recent years following the retirement of so many greats of the game." Former Australian skipper Kim Hughes believed Ponting can follow in the footsteps of Indian great Sachin Tendulkar and improve as a player after relinquishing the captaincy.
"I still feel that he possibly thinks he's got another year or two good cricket left in him at either one-day or Test cricket and maybe without the burden of the captaincy that he can do justice to that," Hughes said.
Cricket Tasmania chairman Tony Harrison, whose island state -- Ponting's birthplace -- won this season's domestic Sheffield Shield, said cricket was strong there because of the ex-captain's contribution to the game.
© AFP
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.
Ponting is Australia's most successful Test captain and its leading Test run-scorer, but was under growing pressure after losing his third Ashes series against England and relinquishing his team's 12-year hold on the World Cup.
"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 Ricky Ponting today and in the coming days and let me lend my voice to congratulate a great bloke and fantastic cricketer."
Australian Cricketers' Association President and former team-mate Michael Kasprowicz said Ponting, who remains available for selection, had made an outstanding contribution as skipper.
"Ricky has been a magnificent team leader who has excelled in all forms of the game in all kinds of conditions," Kasprowicz said.
"On countless occasions he has carved an innings of strength to truly lead from the front on the big stage and was an inspirational figure to play under."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said via Twitter: "Respect to Ricky Ponting. Never easy giving up something that you love doing. Lots of runs still in him though. Bowlers beware."
Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke paid tribute to Ponting's leadership.
"Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," Clarke said in a statement.
"His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain.
"Those close to the team know his true worth in guiding his players and setting a personal example of commensurate professionalism, particularly in recent years following the retirement of so many greats of the game." Former Australian skipper Kim Hughes believed Ponting can follow in the footsteps of Indian great Sachin Tendulkar and improve as a player after relinquishing the captaincy.
"I still feel that he possibly thinks he's got another year or two good cricket left in him at either one-day or Test cricket and maybe without the burden of the captaincy that he can do justice to that," Hughes said.
Cricket Tasmania chairman Tony Harrison, whose island state -- Ponting's birthplace -- won this season's domestic Sheffield Shield, said cricket was strong there because of the ex-captain's contribution to the game.
© AFP
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