Ponting passes Test run milestone
01 June, 2008
SYDNEY: Australia captain Ricky Ponting became the seventh batsman to make 10,000 Test runs as his side dominated the first day of the second Test in Antigua.
Ponting needed 61 to become the third Australian to reach the milestone after Allan Border and Steve Waugh.
He reached the target after tea with a drive off Ramnaresh Sarwan but was dismissed soon afterwards for 65.
Simon Katich scored an unbeaten 113 for Australia in front of a small crowd at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Katich, who was promoted to open the batting in the absence of the injured Matthew Hayden, was given a reprieve when he was dropped by Runako Morton on 90.
Punter is not the most elegant to watch a la Sachin or Lara, but you can’t argue with numbers
He reached a third Test century when he drove his 197th delivery from Dwayne Bravo through mid-on for an eighth boundary.
But he had to share centre stage with Ponting after the tourists lost Phil Jaques for 17, when he was trapped lbw by Bravo with the score on 36.
Katich and Ponting rarely looked troubled, adding 136 for the second wicket before the captain’s dismissal.
At the close, Ponting said: "It all started in 1995 and it’s taken 13 years. I think everyone growing up wishes they can do it.
"I am most proud of my longevity in the game. I’ve never been one for stats and milestones, I just try to do the best for my team.
"I’m the third fastest person in the history of the game to get 10,000 and that will be a nice thing to look back on at the end of my career."
Michael Hussey came in for Ponting but was caught at midwicket for 10, before Michael Clarke arrived at the crease and he was not out on 38 at the close to leave the Australians poised to make a big score on day two.
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