Five unforgettable moments from Ricky Ponting's Test career

Ricky Ponting is undoubtedly one of, if not the greatest, Australians to ever wear the baggy green cap. it makes his greatest moments all the more difficult to choose.

He played 168 Test matches, scoring13,378 Test runs at an average of 51.85, with 41 centuries.

Punter is truly a great batter and an amazing ambassador the game.

On that note, let's look at five greatest moments in his international career.

#5 96 on debut v Sri Lanka (1995)

Ponting announced himself on the Test arena in his very first Test, scoring a fabulous 96. He was denied a debut century by just four runs.

He played a very patient knock, helping Australia register a huge first innings total of 617/5d. The Aussies eventually won the game by an innings and 36 runs. Luck went both ways as he survived a close call on his first ball, but then was given out for a contentious LBW call.

It was an innings that demonstrated he was was here to stay, giving us a glimpse of the glory that would come afterwards.

#4 156 in a fighting draw v England (2005 Ashes)

Ponting's innings against England in the third Test of the 2005 Ashes was an uncompromising display of grit and determination.

The match equation was fairly simple in theory, but a different story in practice. England had set Australia a target of 422, with the last four sessions of the game left to play.

At 25/1, Ponting strode to the crease, playing superbly as wickets fell at the other end. By the time Australia were 183/5, an English win was almost assured. But a knock of 156 from Punter denied them the win.

His innings lasted 411 minutes and 275 deliveries before being the ninth man out at dusk on the last day. Australia managed to hang on for a draw off the back of his incredible, fighting innings.

#3 2006/07 Ashes series

After the disappointment of losing the 2005 Ashes series, Ponting defined the word 'redemption' by smashing the touring English side 5-0 in the 2006/07 series. Losing the Ashes in 2005 had been a rare blemish on his career. But he empathically ensured that this great Australian side would have a final swansong. The 5-0 scoreline in favor was the first clean sweep in 86 years.

In the first Test at the Gabba, Ponting scored a huge 196, providing the bedrock of the beginnings of England's humiliation on this tour. He scored 142 in the second Test in Adelaide, all but setting his side on their way to an incredible victory.

As captain, Punter led his troops magnificently, spurred on by his own form with the bat.

Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Shane Warne retired from Test cricket after the fifth Test, before Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden followed in the next two seasons. At the time, Ponting had said :

"When you’re part of a team like this and you have a bit of personal success, it obviously makes it a good time to be playing."

#2 2011-12 series v India

Before the series began, many were raising questions over how tenable Ponting's spot in the side was - hinting at retirement. He had been through a lean period before the series, not scoring a hundred in the preceding two years.

But he was able to retrieve some of his magic in the second Test at the SCG, where he and Michael Clarke put on a huge 288-run stand. He scored his 40th Test century in a relieving 134 off 225 deliveries with 14 fours.

Heading into the fourth Test at the Adelaide Oval, Australia had already wrapped up the series, but were playing for a 4-0 clean sweep. In Adelaide, Clarke and Ponting bettered their Sydney-stand with a 386 run partnership, a record against India.

Ponting scored a superb 221 in the final century of his illustrious career, leaving fans with the last taste of his greatness.

#1 2003 series v India

Statistically, this is the point at which Ponting reached his absolute peak. A scary peak. He scored three double centuries in 2003, including two in succession against India at home.

After scoring a mammoth 242 in the Adelaide Test match, he backed that up with his highest Test score of 257 at the MCG. It was also the fourth-highest score at the venue.

His side were trailing India 0-1 in the series, in a terrific effort from the tourists to that point. But Ponting's knock of 257 steered Australia to a 192-run lead in the first innings. He took the Indian bowling attack apart, helping Australia register a dominating nine-wicket win.

He stamped himself as one of the country's best batsmen before soon becoming an illustrious captain for the brilliant Australian side.