Ricky Ponting retires: Australia's former captain calls time on distinguised career after 17 years

A batsman and captain whose natural instinct was to attack, whatever the situation, he leaves the game as one of its greats and arguably its toughest competitor.
He will play the last of his 168 Tests where it all began back in 1995, at the WACA, the announcement coming earlier today at a press conference attended by the entire Australian team and their teary captain, Michael Clarke. Sports teams generally like to do their grieving in private but Ponting is held in such high regard by players of all generations in Australia, that a public display was felt more appropriate.


There were tributes from opponents too and Kevin Pietersen, enjoying a short break with England in Mumbai, tweeted: “Ricky Ponting - one of the greats. I always got excited playing Australia so I could watch him bat up close. Well done Punter. Legend.”
Opinion about him wasn’t always that complimentary. As one of the most talented teenage batsmen Rod Marsh had ever seen pass through Australia’s Academy, Ponting was picked for his first Test at the age of 20.

Chelsea 'regret' treatment of referee Mark Clattenburg after complaint of racist abuse towards John Obi Mikel

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In a joint statement issued by Chelsea, the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the club said they regretted the speed with which they publicised their allegations, and the impact on Clattenburg and his family.
Their failure to apologise unequivocally for bringing the allegation of racism will not satisfy critics of the club, who believe the claims against Clattenburg were hasty and lacked evidence.
Chelsea reported the referee to the Football Association after the home league defeat by Manchester United, alleging that Clattenburg said “shut up, you monkey” to midfielder John Obi Mikel. They also alleged he had called Juan Mata a “Spanish t---”, a claim they later retracted.
The club believe they cannot apologise for bringing the racism allegation because Ramires, the only player who claimed to have heard the comments, still believes he heard Clattenburg use the offensive words.
To apologise fully would, they believe, expose Ramires and suggest they do not believe him. The club maintain they acted in good faith and followed FA procedures in reporting the incident as quickly as possible.