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Mumbai: There was a famous picture of little Emmy Charlotte playing in the arms of father Ricky Ponting at Headingley in August this year. The picture is rare because it is the only one that captures the Australian captain in a cheerful mood during an otherwise mind-numbing series.
Think about the other ones that usually have Ponting in the frame. An arrogant, gum-chewing, ruthless captain of a highly dominating team, not known to take the slightest of insults (read: lack of performance) lightly. That's the Ponting a cricket fan would usually identify with. Why just the fan, that's the Ponting even his teammates more often than not identify with.
When Shane Watson was asked if the Australian national team is used to seeking advice from some of the game's stalwarts Down Under, he said, "Why would you need anyone when you have one of the all-time greats right there with you. Ricky's someone the whole team looks up to."
Ponting's contribution to the game doesn't need a mention. That he's right behind Sachin Tendulkar in the run-scoring department is explanation enough. In fact, he's got more. Something that Tendulkar has perhaps only yearned for in 20 years: three World Cup wins, two as captain; two Champions Trophy wins, both as captain and a cupboard full of awards honouring him as the world's best.
"Oh yes, he's at the forefront, right up there as far as our set-up is concerned," says present national coach Tim Nielsen, explaining at large Ponting's influence in Australian cricket. "Ricky is a decision-maker and his word carries a lot of weight. Whether it concerns selection matters, the line-up, the batting order, he's got a huge say. We contribute, but he's definitely the one out there handling things."
Australia's Mr. Cricket, Michael Hussey, is equally in awe of the skipper. "Mr. Cricket? Why just me? Most of these guys can be called that. They're all as dedicated to the game. There's Ricky, he's as good an example there is."
To Hussey's knowledge - and there's quite a bit of that to his credit - Ponting's genius is not just one that usually brings him runs. "He is at the core of a lot of things, deciding on strategies, batting order, handing out responsibilities," says the southpaw.
Shane Warne famously nicknamed Ponting as 'Punter' due to his fascination for racing greyhounds and betting on them. He breeds them for racing and bets because he's quite sure of himself. That's what Ponting's been doing with the Aussie team, nurturing them to get the best out of them.
Evaluating Ponting's contribution to the game and Australian cricket is as difficult as quantifying the joy and happiness he gets while playing with his daughter.
