Ricky Ponting the great - Batsman, Skipper and Sledger

2. 1996 World Cup and gets counted as one of the best fielders in cricket world:

Meanwhile he made his World Cup debut in the 1996 edition played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Despite a lack luster start to the tournament, he made his first century in World Cup against the West Indies, scoring 102 runs.

He made significant contributions to the team’s cause and barring a duck in the semi-finals, ended up with 229 runs in his first World Cup campaign. Australia lost to Sri Lanka in the finals played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

He was elevated to the no.3 position after the retirement of David Boon and scored his first Test century in the 1997 Ashes Test against England. His form in the subsequent series in India remained sketchy as he struggled to cope with the spin on Indian pitches, a trouble that remained with him throughout his career in Test cricket in India.

The period from 1999-2002 saw Ponting being dropped repeatedly from the side, but luck gave him another chance when Mark Taylor retired in 1999 and Steve Waugh took over from Taylor.