Ricky Ponting Quotes (183 Quotes)

We're in really good shape for the finals and we're really looking forward to it.

Mike Hussey and Glenn McGrath's partnership on day two has been the defining moment of the test match. Those extra 100 runs were vital for us and gave us a first innings total that South Africa would have to bat very well to dominate the test match from that moment on.

I was extra keen to play. But there's a bigger picture to look at. The worst thing that could have happened to me was to come back early and be out for the first or second Tests.

I think we played some very good cricket, there's no doubt about that,

It's great for someone like Andrew to be able to come back into the side. He's a very important member of our team, he gives us more depth in all areas and it's a handy time in the series for him to be coming back.

You'd think that was not quite good enough, wouldn't you,

Every individual has got to put their hand up and stand up in a game that counts... There's no other option now, if guys can't get up for a game like the one we've got coming up, then they shouldn't be playing. I wouldn't think a batting change would come from outside the squad, and to tell the truth I don't think a bowling change would either.

I knew Shane would do that for us. He loves that sort of occasion, and Brett bowled his heart out.

Looking back I think I was wrong in what I said. I think Bangladesh probably do deserve their Test status.

Unfortunately for Jason he hasn't been at his best and we thought a slight change of personnel could be of benefit for us. He could still have a role to play in the tour.

I felt like I started pretty well and probably got worse as the innings went on,

There is always more luck involved in one-day cricket and we did not have a good day out there.

I had a bit of luck early on, obviously. I probably should have been caught at third slip on zero ...but there wasn't one there. I was dropped on a pretty easy chance not long after. It was a bit of luck along the way.

It's a song that we sing after we win a Test match. We sing it after every one-day series win. It's been passed down through the generations. It's the culture of the Australian team.

Cricket just takes a back seat, however much time he needs he's got. He's said his intention is to keep playing, but we'll just have to see how things unfold over the next weeks.

It was just an amazing day. You just can't fathom the sort of batting that has taken place today really.

We had a few communication mix ups and it cost us. Two of our first three wickets were run outs and we were on the back foot for most of our innings. Sri Lanka played a very good game though - they batted well and put us under pressure.

They're also checking his teeth but he'll be okay to bat tomorrow.

Full credit to England, they deserved their win. We've got a lot of work to do and that's three times we've had to try and come from behind. Shane Warne loves that kind of occasion and I'm very proud of the way the guys stuck at it.

The programming has been pretty tight the last couple of years and I'm sure that quite a few players worldwide would be concerned about another tournament being included.

I'd still rank England second. We're No. 1 for what we've done over a long period of time. They're a definite threat and if they keep going they will get even closer.

We'll be able to put a stronger team on the ground and we can hopefully get back to playing the way we have been over the past few weeks. If we do, we'll be very hard to beat.

We've been in this sort of situation before in series. We lost the first final of the VB Series a few weeks ago (against Sri Lanka in Australia) and won the next two.

The century is a sign of Symonds' growing maturity. I thought 250 was a good total because the wicket was not easy to bat in the second innings.

It doesn't make a lot of sense not to refer them.

Dan Cullen will make his debut tomorrow and we get to have another look at Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken is back in the team for us.

I have got no idea and it's not important if he does.

I wouldn't take him at 60 or 70 percent fitness. He has to be right to bowl not just on Thursday morning but every morning of the match.

I'm sure we'll be looking as soon as we get back home.

It was just an amazing day. One simply can't fathom the kind of batting seen today.

He's not as hard on himself as he once was. He's learnt a lot about the way he has to play his cricket to be successful,

You can go out and get knocked over against good bowlers. It is something we will speak about and hopefully rectify in the second innings.

I'm proud of our ability to turn things around, especially after being below par in the Ashes.