Ponting to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Former Test captain Ricky Ponting will join the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh and Shane Warne in a unique club on Wednesday when he is inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Athletes are required to be retired for two years before being eligible for the Hall of Fame –and with Ponting's staggering list of achievements, it's hardly surprising he is being inducted at the earliest opportunity.

The 40-year-old, who played his last match for his country at the WACA in December 2012 and retired from first-class cricket with a final match for Surrey at The Oval in mid-2013, shares the Australian record for most Tests with Steve Waugh, and has scored more Test runs (13,378) and more centuries (41) than any other Australian.

Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more Test runs overall, and only the 'Little Master' and South African great Jacques Kallis have produced more tons.

His record on the one-day arena was no less impressive. In his 375 matches in the green and gold, the Tasmanian scored 13,589 runs – more than any other Australian – including 29 hundreds.

And when Ponting turned his hand to coaching for the first time earlier this year, his golden touch immediately conjured more success, as he led the Mumbai Indians to the Indian Premier League title.

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Ponting led the Mumbai Indians to success // Getty Images

That success, combined with Ponting's  abilities as a batting mentor – something he became renowned for in his final years in international cricket – means it's little wonder Cricket Australia are keen to see him involved in coaching roles closer to home.

"Cricket Australia are trying to get me involved in coaching in some way, shape or form," Ponting told News Corp.

"It's been spoken about over the last couple of months."

Quick Single: CA, Ponting discuss consultancy role

Cricket Australia's executive general manager of team performance Pat Howard confirmed that desire in August, saying he had spoken to Ponting on several occasions in the wake of the Ashes defeat.

"I am certainly very open to getting him involved and we would love to have him on board," Howard said.

After a 17-year international career, Ponting now mixes his IPL coaching duties with his KFC Big Bash League commentary role with Network TEN and family duties with wife Rianna and three young children Emmy, 7, Matisse, 4, and Fletcher, 1. But the Baggy Green legend confirmed he was keen to be involved should the right coaching opportunity arise.

Quick Single: Boof wants JL, Punter involved

"I know Boof (Darren Lehmann) would love me to be able to help out, but with my Big Bash TV commentary commitments it's a little bit hard to do it just yet," he said.

"I'd honestly love to be back working with the Australian team because I'd like to think I have a lot to give.

"I just love the young blokes I finished up playing with, the Warners, the Smiths, Nathan Lyon and guys just coming on when I was finishing.

"The last couple of years (as a player) were as much about me being a mentor, helping young blokes as much as I could.

"I'd love to get back to doing that — it might even be a cricket academy role — but it's not as easy as it sounds, unfortunately."

While it seems Ponting's continued contribution to Australian cricket is a matter of when, not if; this week the former skipper will reflect on an international career filled with highlights at Wednesday's Sport Australia Hall of Fame induction and awards gala.

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Ponting with Peter Siddle and Mitch Marsh // Getty Images

Former wicketkeeper, long-time teammate and fellow BBL commentator Adam Gilchrist will induct Ponting into the Hall of Fame. And while the long list of achievements that have secured his place as an Australian legend are familiar to cricket fans – but are perhaps not so well known to all those close to Ponting.

"When I retired, (Rianna) had no idea. She said, 'I wish you had told me some of these things along the way, I had no idea how good you were.'

"Cricket was never talked about and that was perfect for me. Personal accolades were nice at the time but I never aspired to those things.

"I wanted to play the best cricket I could and win games for Australia with the guys I played with."