GALLE, (AFP) – Ricky Ponting became the first cricketer to play in 100 Test wins after Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the first Test in Galle yesterday.
The former skipper, 36, was already Test cricket’s most successful captain with 48 wins when he stepped down in April to make way for Michael Clarke.
Ponting, who made his Test debut in 1995, has so far played 153 matches and his 12 411 runs make him the world’s third highest run-getter behind the Indian duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
“His longevity in the game is amazing,” said Clarke after yesterday’s match. “For about eight or nine of our squad it was the first Test win, and here was Punter (Ponting) with his 100th.”
“He has played a hell of a lot of games, captained a hell of a lot of games and won a hell of a lot of games. Just an amazing cricketer!”
But Ponting will miss the second Test in Pallekele from September 8 to go home for the birth of his second child, but is expected to return for the final match in Colombo from September 16.
The seven cricketers who have been part of most Test wins are all Australians, and have all been Ponting’s team-mates at some stage.

List of players with most Test victories:
Name                     Wins:
Ricky Ponting         100
Shane Warne          92
Steve Waugh           86
Glenn McGrath        84
Adam Gilchrist        73
Mark Waugh           72
Matthew Hayden     71