Ashes 2023: "We Fielded First And I Dropped An Absolute Sitter At Second Slip Off McGrath" - Ricky Ponting Recalls His 100th Test Match

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting opened up about his experience playing the 100th Test match for Australia in his international career. Ricky Ponting revealed that he felt nervous leading up to the milestone match against South Africa back in 2006.

Ricky Ponting’s statement came ahead of Steve Smith’s upcoming 100th Test match. Smith is set to become the 15th Australian player to achieve this milestone in red-ball cricket. Ponting and Steve Waugh hold the record for playing the most Tests (168) for Australia.

Dream11 Prediction | Fantasy Cricket Tips | Cricket Match Prediction Today | Cricket News | Cricket Live Score | Asia Cup 2023 | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 | IND vs AFG 2023 | IND vs WI 2023

It Was Such A Regulation One Catch – Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting revealed that he experienced nervousness and pressure during his 100th Test match, which led to him dropping a simple catch at the second slip.

“We fielded first and I dropped an absolute sitter at second slip off McGrath – AB de Villiers in about the third over,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

Also read: IND vs WI: “Playing Bharat Was Right” – Aakash Chopra On Team Management’s Decision To Back KS Bharat Over Ishan Kishan

“It was such a regulation one catch and I put it down, and I remember thinking to myself ‘what are you doing, why are you so nervous – just let it go, it’s just another game, go and play’.

I was probably lucky that we did field that day, then I had a chance to get it under my belt and get into the game. I could go away and think about batting after that,” he added.

IND vs AUS 2023 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs AFG 2023 | IND vs WI 2023 | Asia Cup 2023 | ICC World Cup 2023

He’d Have A Lot More Going On If He Was At Home – Ricky Ponting

The World Cup-winning captain said that Steve Smith would have received tremendous support from the crowd had the landmark match been on home soil.

“So for Steve to have it here (in England), there might be a lot less distractions than having a Sydney Test for his hundredth. He’d have a lot more going on if he was at home,” he concluded.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “The Future For Me Is Just Thinking About Thursday And The Start Of The Next Test” – James Anderson On His Retirement

It Would Be Special For Sure – Steve Smith

Steve Smith hoped that he would make his milestone match memorable by winning the Ashes series in England.

“It is something that has been on my bucket list, to win an Ashes series in England. What a way to top it off, if I could do it in my 100th game, it would be special for sure,” Smith said.

Also read: “If You Reach The Final, Be Happy That You Reached The Final” – Aakash Chopra Slams Indian Players For Not Skipping IPL Ahead Of WTC Final

“I know the person I am, I know how I want to go about things. I am out here playing my game and for my country. Everyone can say what they like, it doesn’t bother me. I am comfortable in my own skin,” he added.

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah