Ponting makes history | Thebigtip

 Ricky Ponting has become only the third batsmen ever to reach 13,000 test runs as Australia reached 335-3 on the first day of the final test against India. The former Australia captain reached the milestone on his way to an impressive 137 not out – his 41^st test century, no less.

Those looking at the best free betting options note how Ponting and current skipper, Michael Clarke finished the day with an unbeaten partnership of 251, Clarke hitting 140 of them.

Only Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have scored more runs in test cricket than Ponting, who insists he can still play on for a number of years yet.

Australia won the toss, and Clarke elected to bat first. The Indians put on a good deal of early pressure with Ravichandran Ashwin taking two of India's three wickets before lunch.

It was Zaheer Khan who took the first, trapping David Warner leg before wicket, before spinner Ashwin stepped up to take the wickets of Shaun Marsh and Ed Cowan.

That only served to bring the experienced duo of Clarke and Ponting to the crease who worked hard to undo all the good work India had done, and lay down a commanding score by the close of play.

But without doubt, Ponting reaching his landmark runs total had to be the stand out moment of the day as he added to his reputation as one of the greatest run makers the game has ever seen.

Ponting completed his first back to back centuries in test cricket for 34 games, and the Australia captain was suitably delighted.

“It was a celebration. I'd just made a Test match hundred so pretty excited about that, I haven't scored a lot of those in the last few years, which I've read a lot about lately as well,” Ponting said.

“It is always nice to make a hundred, especially today when we didn't get off to the ideal start, Pup (Clarke) and I had to play a certain way and get us back into the game, so it was a good celebration, but I generally do a similar one most times.

“I felt I played better today than I did in Sydney as well, probably a better wicket to bat on than Sydney was.

“There wasn't much in it for the Indian bowlers, no sideways movement for the quicks, not a lot of spin, a little bit of reverse swing during the middle of the day, but we've had a pretty good day.

“We have to win the first hour tomorrow and make sure this first innings is a big one.”

It has been another miserable tour for India, a win for Australia would mark a series whitewash, with the Indians knowing that they are now far from the team they were little over a year ago, beating everything in their path.