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Australian Story: Mar 11 / 18

Australian Story tells "the untold personal story of an Australian cricket captain through the eyes of those closest to him."

2013-03-05_1734On Monday night Australian Story tells “the untold personal story of an Australian cricket captain through the eyes of those closest to him.”

This is a two-part special to air on March 11 and 18.

The Australian Test cricket captain occupies a unique place in the nation’s life. It’s one of the highest profile jobs in the country. Only forty three people have been privileged to hold the office and everyone has an opinion of how the incumbent is going.

“Being captain of Australia is not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination and you know, it’s a job that a lot of people would kill for but it’s also a job that very few people can do well” – Rod Marsh

When Ricky Ponting, the first Tasmanian to lead the team, retired from international cricket last December, grown men cried, parliamentary business was interrupted and a gaping hole was left in the once mighty Australian cricket team.

This week on Australian Story we gain an insight into how a boy from a tough housing commission background in Launceston made the remarkable transition to one of the most decorated cricketers of all time and the nation’s best batsmen after the mighty Sir Donald Bradman.

“He was the rogue and the naughty kid and who was supremely talented. The way he transformed himself to be Australian captain and one of the most respected people I’ve ever met in my life … that journey of Ricky Ponting was quite magnificent.” – Justin Langer

Speaking for the first time, together, his parents and siblings tell of their pride and pain at Ricky’s rollercoaster ride to fame and fortune and how they’ve coped with being the family of the Australian captain.

“The incident in Sydney just devastated us. I just felt so sorry for him. I thought it’s no good getting angry with him over it, it probably makes things worse” – Lorraine Ponting, Ricky’s mum.

Former teammates including Shane Warne, Michael Clarke, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist recount their memories of playing on and off the field with the man they call “Punter”.

“He was very mischievous, very keen for a practical joke, always up for a bit of skulduggery” – Adam Gilchrist

“He probably had the hairiest forearms of all time” – Shane Warne

But alongside his love of cricket was the love that changed his life and set him on the path to sporting greatness and the prize of the Australian captaincy..

“I didn’t know who he was when I first saw him but later on he was joined by Shane Warne and I did recognise Shane” – Rianna Ponting

“When I took her out on a date for me was probably when I felt that Rianna was someone more special than anyone I’d ever met before.” – Ricky Ponting

“They were like little school girls. It was like the biggest crush I’ve ever seen in my whole life. They used to hold hands together and Rianna used to come everywhere with him” -Justin Langer

Monday, March 11 at 8pm on ABC1. Concludes Monday, March 18 at 8pm on ABC1

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