Australian captain Ponting becomes father

SYDNEY: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting became a father after his wife Rianna gave birth to a baby girl Emmy Charlotte at a private hospital here on Saturday.

"She is the most gorgeous little girl and Rianna and I are absolutely thrilled," Ponting was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's the most amazing experience of my life."

The birth of the baby girl is a welcome break for the Australian captain, who is going through a harrowing time ahead on the issue of touring Pakistan in September for the eight-nation Champions Trophy.