BIRMINGHAM: Australia captain Ricky Ponting overtook Allan Border as his country’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket on the second day of the third Ashes Test against England here on Friday.

Ponting went into this match needing just 25 runs to surpass former captain Border’s mark of 11,174 runs and move up into third place in the all-time list of Test run-scorers behind Sachin Tendulkar (12,773) and Brian Lara (11,953).

The Tasmanian, resuming on 17 not out here at Edgbaston, required just eight more runs on Friday and an uncertain clip off his legs for three off fast bowler Andrew Flintoff saw him to the record in 22 fewer matches than the 156 it had taken Border to compile his career total.

Border paid tribute to Ponting in a statement issued by Cricket Australia. “Clearly, I am a great admirer, having been involved in Ricky’s selection in many great Australian sides, and having enjoyed watching him closely on more occasions than I can remember as a commentator as well. It is not just the number of runs he has made, it is how he has made them as a dominant force and scoring at a rate previous champions would have regarded as unthinkable”.

However, on 38, Ponting became Graham Onions’s third wicket Friday when he mishooked a bouncer from the Durham quick through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior. His exit left Australia struggling at 163 for four and were ultimately bowled out for 263. James Anderson took 5-80 and Graham Onions 4-58, both bowlers recording their Test-best figures against Australia.