Sydney, Jan.26: Australian batsman Ricky Ponting has been awarded one of his country''s highest civil honours in an annual list marking the national holiday, one day after posting a double century in the fourth Test against India.

According to Sports24, 37-year-old Ponting has been appointed an officer in the general division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to cricket and to the community through the Ponting Foundation, which helps cancer sufferers.