Ponting made MCC Life Member

Image courtesy of MCC

Ricky Ponting was awarded life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Friday in a tribute to the Australian legend's illustrious career.

Former Australia captain Ponting was given the honour after establishing himself as one of the best batsmen in the history of the sport by scoring over 26,000 runs in all forms of the game and averaging 51.85 in 168 Test matches.

The 39-year-old, who retired from all forms of cricket in October last year, hit 41 Test centuries, played in 375 one-day internationals and won three World Cups with Australia.

Ponting is the 33rd Australian to receive the honour, joining the likes of Dennis Lillee, Allan Border and Glenn McGrath on a coveted list of former international cricketers.

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MCC Head of Cricket John Stephenson presented Ponting with his membership pass and tie during a recent visit to Lord's, the world-famous London ground owned by MCC and regarded as the home of cricket.

Speaking to Lords.org, Ponting said: "It's fantastic to be given Honorary Life Membership of MCC. I've devoted my life to playing cricket and it's great to be recognised by a club as proud as MCC.

"Now I'll be able to come and sit amongst the Members and enjoy a Test match which will be a nice thing to do."

Honorary Life Membership is awarded by the MCC Committee to individuals in recognition of the service they have given to the cricket and projects surrounding the game.

There are now more than 300 Honorary Life Members of MCC out of a total full Membership of 18,000.

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Another Australian awarded the famous egg and bacon tie is Brett Lee, who has been named to represent the MCC in the Lord's Bicentenary match against the Rest of the World on 5 July. 

Lee will be captained by former India legend Sachin Tendulkar, teaming up with Rahul Dravid and Paul Collingwood.

Shane Warne will lead the Rest of the World, commanding some of the games biggest names of recent times - Adam Gilchrist, Muthiah Muralitharan and Kevin Pietersen.

The inaugural MCC Women v Rest of the World Women match will take place on 19 May, featuring Southern Stars Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry.

Image courtesy of MCC