Friday 4 April 2014 17:38, UK
Marylebone Cricket Club has awarded former Australia captain Ricky Ponting an Honorary Life Membership.
Ponting's invitation acknowledges his exceptional career in which he scored over 26,000 runs in all forms of the game and averaged 51.85 in 168 Test matches.
He 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.
MCC Head of Cricket John Stephenson presented Ponting with his membership pass and tie during a recent visit to the Home of Cricket.
Ponting, a Sky Sports pundit, told Lords.org: "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 cricket and projects surrounding the game, often over a very long period.
There are now more than 300 Honorary Life Members of MCC out of a total full Membership of 18,000.
