Ricky Ponting scales the leadership summit

When Australia crushed Pakistan by 170 runs in the Boxing Day Test, Ricky Ponting carved his name out in the history books of Test cricket with golden letters as a player and captain with most number of Test wins.

The success at the MCG was the 93rd occasion when Ponting was a part of a winning Australian team. He surpassed legendary spinner Shane Warne, who held the honour with 92 Test wins.

It was also the 42nd time when the skipper had led his country to a Test win, the most by any captain in the history of Test cricket. Ponting achieved this feat by overhauling predecessor Steve Waugh, who has 41 wins under his belt when at the helm.

No wonder, Ponting puts these achievements on a higher pedestal than any of his other successes as a cricketer.

''They're things I'll probably be most proud of when I'm done. We all play to win games of cricket, and be involved in teams that win a lot of games at cricket. It is a great record within itself, and I've been lucky enough to play in some great teams.

''It's my 42nd win as Test captain as well. They're things I'm very proud of. Hopefully, there are lot more wins around the corner,” Ponting said.

Ponting has led some completely different sides during his long tenure which began in 2004. While he captained senior players like Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist in his early days at the helm, he has played an instrumental role in grooming youngsters like Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson and Michael Clarke among others.

''At the moment, it is my job to keep the group together, keep challenging them, help the younger guys out and keep winning as many games of cricket as we can.

''There is a great feeling around the team, and wins like that make the feeling around the place a whole lot better,” the skipper said.