Last summer's Ashes defeat was a low point in Ricky Ponting's career and it proved to be his last Test series as captain.
Now at 37, with two centuries in his past three Test matches, he has been appointed an officer (AO) in the general division of the Order ofAustralia for distinguished service to the sport of cricket as a leading player, and to the community through the establishment of the Ponting Foundation.
In 2008 the Tasmanian and his wife Rianna formed the foundation which led Australia's all-time leading run-scorer to invite young cancer patient Toby Plate to be his special guest at the anthem ceremony on the first day of Adelaide Test against England 13 months ago.
Ponting and Toby have stayed in contact and the 13-year-old Adelaide boy has been medically cleared of cancer, joining Ponting again this week on the eve of the fourth Test against India.
Toby described Ponting as an inspirational figure while Ponting said his Order of Australia honour was a humbling experience.
"In every way, this honour is also for my wife Rianna who has been with me for the significant part of my cricket career and above all, has been the driver for all our charity work,'' Ponting said.
"We are very proud of what the Ponting Foundation is doing to help young Australians and their families beat cancer.
"From the very first time we walked into the cancer ward at the Sydney Children's Hospital almost a decade ago, we have been continually inspired by the courage and determination shown by young cancer sufferers.''
