Kemar Roach says his 'elbow-crushing bomb' sparked Ricky Ponting's retirement

Sydney, Dec. 23 (ANI): West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has said it was his bomb that 'sparked' Ricky Ponting's long spiral towards retirement.

The world's best fast bowlers had become sick of the sight of Ponting, but they suddenly 'smelled blood in the water' after Roach shattered the Australian Test legend's elbow in the Perth Test of 2009.

It forced Ponting to retire hurt for the first time in his Test career and his aura as one of the world's great batsmen took a giant hit as he was sent to hospital, news.com.au reports.

According to the report, there is little doubt it was the start of the end for Ponting, as it showed the world his reflexes were fading, and statistical evidence indicates he was on the way out as far back as 2009.

Before he was hit by Roach, Ponting boasted a Test average of 55.61 with 38 centuries.

After the dramatic moment, Ponting averaged only 36 in his next 30 Tests with just three centuries.

After the Roach bouncer war in 2009, Ponting refused to believe the West Indies' had exploited a chink in his armour and he kept playing trademark hook and pull shots.

Roach, back in Australia this summer as an international Big Bash signing for the Heat, said that hitting Ponting remains the highlight of his career despite taking a hat-trick in the 2011 World Cup, the report added. (ANI)

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