Michael Vaughan reveals reason behind Ricky Ponting calling him 'rabbit' since Ashes 2005

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has revealed an interesting story about getting an interesting nickname from his ex-Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting. Vaughan and Ponting went head-to-head as just players and once as captains of ir national sides as well, in famous 2005 Ashes series in England. Michael Vaughan claimed that he was called ‘Rabbit’ by Ricky Ponting.

Cricketers are kwn for having unique nicknames. In most cases, story behind how y got se nicknames is interesting as well. same holds true for Vaughan as well.

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Michael Vaughan Was Nicknamed ‘Rabbit’ During Legendary Ashes 2005 Series

Ashes 2005 series is remembered for a variety of reasons. Many cricket lovers regard Ashes 2005 edition as one of best Ashes series of all time. England had t won Ashes for 18 years when Australian cricket team arrived for Ashes 2005 edition. A pulsating 5 tests later which involved closest of matches, England test team won Ashes 2005 series 2-1. feat was achieved with captain Michael Vaughan at helm. 

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It was during fourth Test of  Ashes 2005 that Ponting gave him nickname. With Ashes 2005 series still tied at 1-1 and England going strong, Ricky Ponting decided to roll his arm over. Ricky Ponting was predominantly a batsman but had 4 Test wickets to his name at that time.

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However as it turned out, Ricky Ponting mand to do one over Michael Vaughan. Bowling medium pace to set Michael Vaughan who was batting at 58, Ricky Ponting mand to get outside edge of Michael Vaughan, dismissing him caught behind as wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist took catch.

incident led to Ricky Ponting calling Michael Vaughan a ‘Rabbit’ from re on with latter confirming it on Tuffers and Vaughan podcast recently. Answering a question on podcast on wher Ricky Ponting ever reminded Michael Vaughan of Ashes 2005 dismissal, he said “When I went Down Under to do a bit of work in winter, he’d just tend to walk past me in corridor and call me ‘rabbit.' Irrespective of incident, Michael Vaughan had last laugh. Andrew Flintoff’s century helped England register a famous 3-wicket win.

During same series in third Test at Manchester, Ponting was seen sledging Vaughan constantly moment he arrived at crease. Vaughan hit back at Australian captain by telling him to 'shut up and field as he was Steve Waugh'. Steve Waugh was Ricky Ponting's predecessor in Australian team as its captain, being considered far better of two by many cricket admirers.

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reason why Ricky Ponting is called 'Punter'

While Ricky Ponting was responsible for giving a nickname to Michael Vaughan during Ashes 2005, he was given famous nickname of ‘Punter.’ Revealing story on Twitter, he said that nickname was given to him by Shane Warne during ir time at Australian national cricket academy in 1991 as Ricky Ponting used to put bets on dog races. Ricky Ponting claimed y used to be paid AUD $40 a month, which he used to go to TAB to have a bet on dogs. As a result, Shane Warne gave Ponting nickname of 'Punter'

Im Courtesy: michaelvaughan.net