Ponting appointed brand ambassador for Tasmania

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has been appointed brand ambassador of his home state Tasmania and will join a government-led trade mission to the subcontinent that will explore export opportunities.

Ponting has been given the role of Ambassador for Tasmania for the trip from September 2 to 11 in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Singapore.

The delegation will involve representatives from the state’s education, energy, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Ricky Thomas Ponting, nicknamed Punter, is an Australian former cricketer who was captain of the Australia national cricket team during its ‘golden era’; between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. 

He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very occasional bowler. 

Ponting holds the incredible record of being the only cricketer in the history of Test cricket to be a part of 100 Test match wins. 

He has scored the most runs between the interval of his debut in 1996 and retirement in 2012. 

Premier Will Hodgman said, “Ponting will participate in just the trip to India where he will engage high-level business contacts, promote education initiatives with ties to Launceston, and promote the state’s high quality experiences, food and beverages.”He said Ponting’s presence will help open doors in a country in which he is so revered.

“Having Ricky Ponting in our team will be a distinct advantage given his already established connections.  Ricky is also head coach of the IPL Mumbai Indians, which won the championship in 2015, so he has an enormous profile that will attract great interest in Tasmania and the trade mission.”

Ponting said he was pleased to be a part of the trade mission.

“I feel very humbled to formally become an Ambassador for Tasmania and use my international contacts to help my home state.I am a very proud Tasmanian and want to do my bit to help grow our state in every way possible.” International cricket referee David Boon, and Tasmanian IPL players James Faulkner and George Bailey, will join the delegation when it heads to Colombo, Sri Lanka.