Ponting noted that the "Fab Four" had changed, noting Root's 19 centuries in four years while Smith and Williamson stayed consistent
30 January, 2025
PHOTO: AFP
Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, excluded Virat Kohli from the Fab Four of modern Test cricket. While Kohli was once regarded as the leading batter of his generation, his recent decline has forced Ponting to rank Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith ahead of him.
Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, acknowledged Kohli’s past dominance but suggested that his recent form no longer justifies a place among the elite.
"Five or six years ago, the Fab Four included Kohli, Root, Williamson, and Smith. But things have changed. Joe Root has made 19 hundreds in the past four years, while Smith and Williamson have remained consistent," Ponting said, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
"If you ask an Englishman, they’ll say Root; if you ask an Aussie, they’ll say Smith; and if you ask a Kiwi, they’ll say Williamson. Based on numbers alone, it’s hard to argue against Smith’s achievements," he added.
Ponting’s comments come in the wake of Steve Smith reaching the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket, joining Australian greats Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh.
With 35 Test centuries, Smith is now one century behind Joe Root (36) and ahead of Kane Williamson (33), while Kohli trails at 30. Smith has also excelled in overseas conditions, scoring over 4,500 runs at an average of 54.60 in away Tests.
