Australian Story - Season 18 - Eps 6: Suddenly Last Summer (1)
This week's program has the untold personal story of an Australian cricket captain through the eyes of those closest to him. The cricket captaincy occupies a unique place in the national consciousness. When Ricky Ponting, the first Tasmanian to lead the team, retired from international cricket last December, grown men cried, parliamentary business was interrupted and a gaping hole was left in the once all conquering Australian cricket team. The episode reveals how a prankster from a tough housing commission background in Launceston made the transition to one of the most decorated cricketers of all time and the nation's best batsman after the mighty Sir Donald Bradman. Wife Rianna is credited with being a major influence in the transformation. In Monday's program she provides her first ever extended interview with some surprising, highly personal and candid insights.
About Australian Story

Title: Australian Story
First Air Date: 1996-05-29
Last Air Date: 2025-05-26
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 4.8/10 (from 5 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 31
Total Episodes: 1080
Network: ABC TV
Genres: Documentary, News
Production Companies: Unknown
Synopsis
Putting the "real" back into reality television, Australian Story is an award-winning documentary series with no narrator and no agendas — just authentic stories told entirely in people's own words.
Cast

Leigh Sales
Self - Presenter