Ricky Ponting’s scintillating form in cricket’s longer forms has continued with a century for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at Bellerive in Hobart.
Making a rare appearance as Tigers captain in the do-or-die match, Ponting blasted 14 fours and two sixes in his 111, putting on 205 with Test opener Ed Cowan (139no) as the home side took full control.
At tea, Tasmania were 4-289 in their first innings, a lead of 147 in a match both sides need to win as four teams battle for spots in the final.
Allrounder James Faulkner was with Cowan on three not out.
Ponting has now scored tons in his two Shield appearances since being dropped from the Australian one-day side.
His 130 against South Australia last week came after a superb Test series against India which included 134 in Sydney and 221 in Adelaide.
The former national team skipper also made 75 not out in the domestic one-day final tie with South Australia.
The 37-year-old this week declared his return to the Shield the perfect preparation for the Tests in the Caribbean beginning in April.
He battled a sore thumb throughout, painfully removing his right hand from the bat on several occasions and calling for treatment when he was on 31.
Cowan’s near flawless third Shield century of the summer included 19 boundaries after he resumed on 47.
The Tigers resumed on Friday at 1-73 but lost Nick Kruger four runs later for nine, trapped lbw by Michael Hogan.
The Warriors were pummelled by Ponting and Cowan before finally receiving a lift with two quick wickets shortly before tea.
Ponting was bowled by Hogan at 3-282 before Jonathan Wells was caught in the slips by Shaun Marsh off the bowling of Jason Behrendorff for a duck.