When it comes to discussing Australia's most prolific run-scorers, Ponting has rarely been mentioned alongside Allan Border and Waugh. Waugh has changed this, though, stating his thoughts on Ponting ahead of his 100th Test.

"You can never know for sure how long you're going to play for. Age and fitness come into it as well as form. There are a lot of variables but it's hard to see him slowing down for a while yet," Waugh said to the Melbourne Age.

"There's still a long way to go for him, but the way he's going at the moment, if you were going to pick someone to take that record, I'd say it would have to be Ricky.

Ponting, with 7,990 Test runs under his belt, is still far behind Lara's record of 11, 204. However, Lara is expected to retire after the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, and Ponting has time on his side.