GOLFING PONTING ON SCOTLAND AND CRICKET
Published: 7th Jul 2010
 AUSTRALIA'S Cricket Captain hasn't ruled Scotland out of contention for Test status one day – so long as the country's fledgling players get the support and facilities they need.
Ricky Ponting (pictured far right courtesy of Ian Joy Photographic) fresh from leading his team to: 'Two really strong wins' against England at the Oval and Lords, last week, was speaking after a round of golf in St Andrews on Monday.
At the Duke's Course as part of his work for children's cancer charity the Ponting Foundation, he took time out to praise the Scottish Cricket squad which his team played in their first game in the last World Cup.
Stressing the “fantastic” youth cricket programme in Australia, Ponting told the media:“It's all about junior cricket development and facilities. It is important to really look at the grass roots side of things. Scotland has come a long way. The best way for less skilled players to improve is to play more often and I hope that the Scottish team gets to play more.”
Ponting and European Tour Pro Scott Arnold, joined an international group of golf and cricket enthusiasts - who successfully bid for a golfing package put up by the Old Course Resort and Spa at a charity auction in aid of the Ponting Foundation - in two fourballs in blustery conditions over the heathland course on Monday.
Due to training schedules, Ponting won't be in St Andrews to watch the 150th anniversary golf championship. But he said waking up in the Old Course Hotel, overlooking the famous Road Hole, had been: "Awesome!"
The crack golfer (he playes off 1) has never played the Old Course. But he has played the New Course on a previous golf day with the Australian team.
Ponting and his wife Rianna started their charity after visiting a hospital for children suffering from cancer in Sydney. He said it hit them hard when they saw a six-month-old baby who had been diagnosed with leaukaemia. Since then the couple, who have a little girl of their own, have raised around £10 million for the charity.
Pictured with Ponting, on the 18th at the Duke's, are (from left) Alasdair Haynes, Chris Nelson and Simon Gard.
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