Ricky Ponting shares emotional conversation with Damien Martyn during 2003 WC final

New Delhi: India displayed tremendous form in the ICC world Cup in 2003 in South Africa. On their route to finals India witnessed best win and disappointing loss in the same tournament.

India defeated arch rivals Pakistan at Centurion before going down to Australia in the finals at Johannesburg. Loss against Australia was enough to rip all dreams to bring back the coveted trophy home after 20 years.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting led from the front to guide Australia to second consecutive World Cup triumph. Australia posted a mammoth 359 runs on board to effectively put Saurav Ganguly-led Indian side out of contest.

 In an emotional interview to cricket.com.au, the former legendary cricketer revisited his memories of 2003 World Cup finals. 

Ponting revealed how he convinced injured Damien Martyn to make himself available for the finals against India. Martyn was suffering from finger injury just 2 days before the final game and that time Australian skipper wanted his best man to be fit. 

"I went up to Martyn and said, Look needle it (his finger) for me today, get through training, I’ll watch you catch a few balls and hit a few balls, and then when you’ve finished, look me in the eye and tell me you can play, because I want you to play.”

“And the day the match was to be played, I went to him and said, “Look me in the eye and tell me you (Martyn) can play.” To which Martyn replied, “I can play.”

In the finals of World Cup 2003 Ricky Ponting scored outstanding 140 runs and Damien Martyn played a fabulous innings of 88 runs in 84 deliveries. Australia comfortably defeated India by 125 runs.

Picture source: AFP