Ricky Ponting Leaves Out Himself; Smith, Warner, Starc in His All-Time Australia XI

Ricky Ponting picked his all-time Australia XI and left out himself, Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has named his all-time Australia XI, leaving out several modern greats, including himself, Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc. Ponting selected 10 of his former teammates in the XI.

Smith is one of only four Australians with more than 10,000 Test runs and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest batters. Warner is the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket for the six-time ODI World Cup winners. Starc is third on the list of Australia’s all-time leading wicket-takers across formats. Their exclusion surprised many fans.

Ricky Ponting chose Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer as openers, followed by Don Bradman at No. 3 and Damien Martyn at No. 4. He highlighted Martyn’s unbeaten 88 in the 2003 ODI World Cup final against India as a standout, calling him one of Australia’s most underrated players.

“I’m a bit biased with this one because I’ve played in some champion teams and with some great players. So I’m going to go with two of my great mates – Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden – to open the batting. The great Sir Donald Bradman that averaged 99 in Test cricket, got to go in at No. 3. Damien Martyn, I think… one of the most underrated players that ever played for Australia at No. 4,” Ponting said in a video shared by bet365 Australia.

He added Michael Hussey at No. 5 and picked Andrew Symonds at No. 6, calling him his greatest teammate across all formats. Adam Gilchrist came in at No. 7, followed by Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie. Glenn McGrath completed the XI. Ponting explained his choices and joked about McGrath’s batting.

“Michael Hussey at No. 5. The greatest teammate I ever had in all forms of the game – Andrew Symonds at six, Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) at seven, Warnie (Shane Warne) at 8, Brett Lee at 9, Jason Gillespie at 10, and then when you think of the all-time worst batsman that ever played for Australia but was pretty handy with the ball, Glenn McGrath at No. 11,” Ponting added.

Ponting was also asked to name a 12th man and selected Darren Lehmann for the role. “12th man Darren Lehman, just to add a bit around the group. Not for his fielding, but he’d be good serving the drinks.”

Lehmann, along with Gilchrist, Michael Bevan and McGrath, played in both the 1999 and 2003 ODI World Cup finals and later served as Australia’s head coach.