Ponting said he was approached by Rob Key, who was then appointed as the English Cricket Board's new director of men's cricket.
When the final Test at the Narendra Modi stadium ended in a draw on Monday evening, there was bon homie, with gifts like cricket bats and jerseys being passed around.
Record Stokes ton leads England to huge win over New Zealand
With Ben Stokes coming out of retirement and the 2019 title winning core group largely intact, England will fancy a successful campaign in challenging conditions in India during the 50-over World Cup starting on October 5.
England fast bowler Jofra Archer was ruled out of the Ashes series against Australia.
England cemented their position by finishing day two on 202-5 riding fifties by Ben Duckett and Harry Brook.
'His dot ball percentage is unbelievably low, his average is high, his strike rate high. From a number three that's all you can ask.'
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 2 of the India-England Test at Lord's.
India were sitting pretty on 473/8 in 120 overs at stumps on the second day for an overall lead of 255 runs.
Mark Wood and Alzarri Joseph scarred the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan in Delhi's line-up in the first two games. Now, when these talented but low on confidence willow wielders face an attack comprising Trent Boult, KM Asif and Jason Holder they will have to negotiate speeds of mid-130 kmph.
Bollywood star Ranveer Singh had a day to remember as he caught up with some of the world's greatest sportspeople at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.
Australia's pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins ripped out England's top order with a masterclass of textbook bowling to put their side in sight of a 2-0 Ashes lead on Saturday.
After being in control of the IPL match till the 18th over of the chase, it was nightmare for the hosts as Sunrisers Hyderabad stunned Rajasthan Royals.
Opener Dawid Malan hit a superb century before Moeen Ali grabbed four wickets as England beat New Zealand by 100 runs in the fourth One-Day International on Friday for a 3-1 series victory.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 2 of the India-England Test at Leeds.
Stokes ton helps England beat Netherlands, end World Cup losing run
Indicating that he wants to get a good grip on the shortest format, given that all the money now is in domestic leagues, Root hoped he could score big in ILT20 and then take his T20 career further.
Broad, England's second-highest wicket-taker in tests behind James Anderson, said he was focused on returning to the England
'The facts are staring us all in the face, except Joe doesn't want to see it'
Joe Root compiled his second straight century, an unbeaten 119, as England batted their way to a commanding position in the second Test against West Indies in Barbados on Wednesday.
Ravichandran Ashwin has maintained the top spot among bowlers
Former captain Mike Atherton believes Joe Root is reaping the benefits of the 'incredible work' the England Test skipper has put into his batting during COVID-19 lockdown last year.
Full list of players released, retained and traded by all ten teams in the IPL.
'(The target of) 378 five weeks ago would have been scary, but it's all good.'
New Zealand's stand-in captain Tom Latham was delighted to have found a new hero in ton-up Rachin Ravindra as they began their World Cup campaign, obliterating champions England by 9 wickets in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
A staggering distance of 276.57 kilometers covered by Kohli while dashing between the wickets.
England were spared the ignominy of the follow-on but Australia appeared on course for victory after dominating day three of the day-night second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Batsman Harry Brook and seamer Matthew Potts received maiden call-ups as part of the 13-man squad announced on Wednesday.
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow put England on course for a ground-breaking run chase against India despite Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance on day four of the rescheduled fifth Test, setting up a fitting series finale in Birmingham on Monday.
Images from Day 2 of the first Test between India and England, at the M A Chidambaram stadium, in Chennai.
India captain Virat Kohli retained his fifth spot, while teammates Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant were joint sixth in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen.
India dominates ICC Test Rankings
The World Cup opener is set to be another barnstorming meeting between two of the favourites -- and a fitting way to start a cricketing feast.
Glimpses from the Chennai Super Kings-Rajasthan Royals IPL 2023 game at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Babar Azam, whose cover drives have some similarities with Kohli, has enjoyed a conistent run in Tests since 2018 matching the likes of Kohli, Australia's run machine Steve Smith, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and England's Joe Root.
'I think some people can make it a bigger thing than it is.'
The Indian team management will try to keep cards close and assess defending champions England's batting depth when the home team takes field for its first World Cup warm-up match game, in Guwahati on Saturday.
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The South African is firm about progressing further in his journey as an all-rounder.