Australian Batsman Ricky Ponting was honoured with Austrlia’s Highest Civil Honour

Senior Australian batsman Ricky Ponting was honoured with Austrlia’s  highest civil honour along with a host of sportspersons of international repute. The former skipper was appointed an officer (AO) in the general division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the sport of cricket as a leading player, and to the community through the establishment of the Ponting Foundation.

In ongoing test against India, struck a fluent double century against India on the second day of the fourth Test at Adelaide, Australia (January 2012). Ponting scored two centuries in his past three Test matches against India.

In 2008, Ponting and his wife Rianna formed the Ponting Foundation to help cancer patients.

Rugby players Stirling Mortlock and George Smith, teenage sailor Jessica Watson and bowls great Steve Glasson were also appointed Officers of the Order of Australia for their services to the sport.