Ponting will call it a day after next Test match
RICKY Ponting will retire from Test cricket after Australia's third and final Test in the current series against South Africa.
The 37-year-old former captain leaves the international scene as the second highest run scorer in Test history, behind Sachin Tendulkar, and will start his 168th Test in Perth tomorrow.
After 13,336 runs at an average of 52.21, Ponting feels he has lost his edge and has scored only 20 runs in the first two drawn Tests between the countries.
"I haven't been performing consistently over the last 12 to 18 months," he said.
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"I believe now is the right time.
"It's a decision I thought long and hard about.
It was based on my output and my results in this series so far. It hasn't been what I expect of myself and certainly not the level required of a batsman in the Australia team.
"I've said all along that I would continue to play as long as I could continue to make a contribution to wins and I think over the last couple of weeks my performance has not been good enough to do that.
"Cricket's been my life for 20 years and there's not much more I can give."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan yesterday described Ponting as the best batsman he had played against.
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