His last Test innings of eight was all too brief, and came to a sad end three minutes before lunch. He lingered a few moments on the ground, arms raised, as the crowd stood and acknowledged his greatness and South Africa's players, led by captain Graeme Smith ran to him and applauded him from the field.
Ponting's career came to an end on 13,378 Test runs at an average of 51.85, 40 minutes after he walked through a South African guard of honour that captured the respect in which Ponting is held by his opponents.
Smith, who regards Ponting as the most competitive man he has ever played against, ran to him and shook his hand as he prepared to face spinner Robin Peterson. The modest left-arm orthodox spinner ended up being the villian of the occasion, but there were at least some moments of vintage Ponting before it was over.
The poignant welcome to the crease for Australia's greatest runscorer recalled that given to Don Bradman in his final Test at the Oval in 1948, when England captain Norman Yardley led three cheers for Bradman as he walked through a tunnel of Englishmen to take guard. The players doffed their caps, then Yardley said to Eric Hollies: 'That's all we'll give him – then bowl him out.'
The pleasantries for Ponting did not last long, either.
He scratched out his mark and the crowd clapped as his first ball from Peterson was driven safely to cover for no run. His final tally of eight runs consisted of two boundaries, and they were good ones. He pounced on a short ball from Morne Morkel, and pulled it from in front of his nose to square leg. An on drive off Dale Steyn made it to the fence, thanks largely to a Morkel misfield.
He took his lingering last stand, then hustled up the steps to the dressing room for the last time.
And then, after 23 balls it was over. The 37-year-old was defeated by the bounce summoned by Peterson and an attempted cut was snaffled by Jacques Kallis at slip.
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http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/sport/cricket/ricky-pontings-farewell-test-innings-20121203-2aqmd.html?selectedImage=6
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