Australia Day gong for Ponting

RICKY Ponting has been awarded one of his country’s highest civil honors on Australia Day, after posting a double century in the fourth Test against India.

The 37-year-old former captain has been appointed an officer in the general division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to cricket and to the community through the Ponting Foundation, which helps cancer sufferers.

Former Wallabies rugby stars Stirling Mortlock and George Smith received the same awards.