Ricky Ponting takes a quick single playing for Mowbray yesterday. Picture: PHILLIP BIGGS.
Ricky Ponting's return to the NTCA might not be a one-off, the former Australian captain said yesterday.
Batting at No. 4, the 38-year-old made 11 from 54 balls in an 87-minute innings yesterday as Mowbray was bowled out for just 122 on day 1 of its two-day NTCA contest with Launceston.
His innings came to an end in the middle session of play, bowled by Lions' skipper Rowan Smith.
The cricketing great said if his Tasmanian commitments allowed, he would love to be back at Invermay Park this summer.
``I haven't looked that closely at the program for the rest of the summer, but if there are a few more weekends later in the year that work out for me, it'd be nice to do this again,'' Ponting said.
``It was one of the great regrets I have with my career, that I haven't been able to spend more time with Mowbray and with Tasmanian cricket.
``Now that things have wound down at the international level (after his retirement in November) I've been able to spend more time with Tassie and with the (Hobart) Hurricanes, and for a weekend like this to be able to come back and play club cricket is great.
``When I've finally finished playing, whenever that may be, I'd just like to be around to pass on a bit of knowledge to some of the young kids of the area.
``If I can continue to play next year, I'm sure some opportunities will come up again, but if not I'd just be happy to be around and eat a hamburger on the sidelines.''
But despite his lack of an impact on the scoreboard, it was a memorable day for Australia's leading run-scorer.
``It's just great to be back and see a lot of these familiar faces again,'' he said.
``A lot of the kids that I left at the club 20 years ago are all grown up and I'm playing with most of them, so it's great fun to be back.
``They're probably as nervous as me.
``It's one thing I'm always conscious of, coming back and not trying to put too much pressure on them and for them to not put any pressure on themselves to try to impress me.''
Mowbray and Launceston's clash will continue today, with Launceston resuming at 4-36, however Ponting is not expected to take any part due to Tasmanian training in Hobart.