Legendary Australian Test cricketer Ricky Ponting will play his 168th and final Test against South Africa in Perth.
Ponting’s illustrious international career will come to an end at the WACA.
A press conference has just been finished in Perth, where Ponting made the announcement with the full Australian team in attendance.
Ponting stated that he made the decision, not selectors:
“I haven’t been performing consistently over the last 12-18 months. I believe now is the right time to be making this decision.”
Cricket Australia Chairman Wally Edwards said Ponting’s retirement decision and announcement was typical of the man:
“Ricky is always uncompromisingly straightforward and leads from the front – he has made a decision that he believes is best for him, his family and his team,” said Edwards.
“On behalf of Australian cricket, I congratulate him for his outstanding achievements as a batsman, captain and, after he stood down as captain, leader by example”.
CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said he and Ricky had exchanges messages earlier today after Ponting had made his decision overnight.
“Ricky has had an extra-ordinary career and has made an extra-ordinary contribution, including through the example he has set for other elite players and through the excitement he has given fans, young and old,” said Sutherland.
“There is much to admire, including his pride in his roots at his local cricket club that he spoke so eloquently of at last month’s Bradman Oration, through to the fact that he takes to the field tomorrow for his 168th Test as one of the best prepared players in the modern game”.
“I think his record until he retired as captain was outstanding but my respect for him since then has actually increased, seeing first-hand how he stepped back to become a total team player, absolutely committed to his captain, unstinting in his work to help other players and single-minded in his view that everything, including his own ambition, must always be second place after whatever was best for the team”.
sheek
Roar Guru
Frank, I can't quibble with your selections. Pretty close to 100%. To appreciate how good the 1st XI is, have a look at the 2nd XI! 1. Arthur Morris 2. Bill Ponsford or Bob Simpson 3. Charlie Macartney 4. Neil Harvey 5. Allan Border 6. Steve Waugh 7. Ian Healy or Don Tallon 8. Alan Davidson 9. Ray Lindwall 10 Clarrie Grimmett 11. Fred Spofforth And Michael Clarke hovering to swoop in maybe.....
Jason
Guest
Looks pretty close. It's a matter of style I guess but I would have Chappell and 4 and then Border at 5. I would also thiink about Davo over Miller but again, it is matter of style.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Because I'm bored... 1. Matthew Hayden 2. Victor Trumper 3. Sir Donald Bradman 4. Ricky Ponting 5. Greg Chappell 6. Keith Miller 7. Adam Gilchrist 8. Shane Warne 9. Dennis Lillee 10. Bill O'Rielly 11. Glenn McGrath 12th man: Ray Lindwall What a team that I can leave out Steve Waugh, Alan Border, Niel Harvey, Arthur Morris etc!
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
The best Australian batsman behind Sir Donald Bradman is either Greg Chappell or Ricky Ponting. To his credit he admitted that he couldn't reach the standards he wanted to for the 2013 Ashes Tour. The perfect ending to his career would have been winning back the 2013 Ashes. The 2005 Ashes loss was such a low point for Australia. England played very well. But it was amazing to watch one of the most dominant sports teams in history capitulate under the pressure. Only Shane Warne stood up to the Poms and gave a performance of a lifetime. Warne and McGrath got the perfect ending to their career by winning the Ashes back 5-0 - the first time that had happened since the 1920s. But as for Ponting, he captained two Aussie sides who lost the Ashes in England, and one that lost them in Australia. He captained the first side to lose a series to SA on Australian soil as well. It just seemed to me thing should have gone full circle, and the best ending to his career would be to win the Ashes back. But he was humble enough to admit he couldn't sustain the necessary form to win back the 2013 Ashes. Golly those last two years or so were painful though. To watch one of Australia's greatest ever cricketers underperform like that was tough. And hey! If Australia win this series, they're back to being the world's best side! So that's not a bad ending if they win.
Shahid
Guest
What is reason? Why does ponting fail against south africa? He is performing very well in domestic season. His domestic performance is better than clarke. Ponting should work hard to get the form which he has lost. So Ponting should take back the retirement decision and should work hard. Tendulkar is 2 years elder than Ponting. Still he is playing the international cricket. He has no decided to say good bye the international cricket in future. So Ponting should not take retirement from international cricket. I give these comments for Ponting because I want to watch him in the field and I like him very much. PLEASE REPLY ME.
Shahid
Guest
What is reason? Why does ponting fail against south africa? He is performing very well in domestic season. His domestic performance is better than clarke. Ponting should work hard to get the form which he has lost. So Ponting should take back the retirement decision and should work hard. Tendulkar is 2 years elder than Ponting. Still he is playing the international cricket. He has no decided to say good bye the international cricket in future. So Ponting should not take retirement from international cricket. PLEASE REPLY ME.
Rhys
Guest
Ponting sits rightfully at home alongside the likes of Tendulkar and Lara as one of the greats of the modern game. Given the incredible intensity of scrutiny on him over the last 2 years, I'd imagine there will be a hint of relief mixed with the obvious sadness of retiring. It's the right move to go out on his terms. I do hope his innings at Perth isn't a repeat of his first innings there 17 years ago. He deserves those extra few runs to go out with a ton. As I'm fond of saying, it's better to burn out than fade away. Here's hoping Ponting smokes the SA bowlers this weekend.
Rhys
Guest
Yeah they were the true golden years for Australia in the modern era. I'd probably start that era from '95 when the Aussie's beat the Winides at home. From memory they overtook the Windies for the #1 rating. So I'd add the likes of Taylor and Boon - at least so far as laying the foundation for the world beating era to follow.
Rhys
Guest
Yeah AB helped drag Australia up by the boot straps when he took over the captaincy. In my book one of the grittiest batsman to wear the baggy green.
matt h
Guest
How Lara missed out on them is anyone's guess. He would still be batting. PS No disrespect to Haydos - loved his work. His massive frame advancing down the pitch to opening bowlers was a sight to see.
M-Rod
Guest
Doubt Hayden would be holding the record if Bradman had batted against that Zimbabwe attack.
jamesb
Guest
great career Punter Fantastic batsman. Is he the best since Bradman? Thats a tough tough call, unless you've watched cricket for the last 60 or 70 years to judge on it. Stats don't always tell the story. Australian cricket has been fortunate since Bradman retired with the succession of champion batsman in Neil Harvey, Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and now perhaps Michael Clarke. Hopefully another champion batsman emerges after Clarke. All in all, Punter you've made the right decision. Ponting made his debut against Sri Lanka on the same ground, WACA 17 years ago, 1995. Now in 2012, he'll play his last test at the WACA. Go get 'em Ricky!
Harry
Guest
Very quick feet and reflexes, and that famous pull shot would have stood him in good stead.
matt h
Guest
Agreed. Ricky always loved the pace until the last couple of years. His weakness was probably good offspin.
ak
Roar Guru
Ricky Ponting retires. End of an era. Legend.
matt h
Guest
Also in the top few out fielders I've ever seen. Up there with Jonty Rhodes, Mark Waugh, Viv Richards ..
matt h
Guest
PS A leg spinner just took 5-47 QLD vs NSW and it wasn't Cameron Boyce. Does anyone know of this Zampa kid and has a stor been born. Can we stick the "next Shane Warne" tag on nice and early and really screw him up?
matt h
Guest
And do you know what? It doesn;t matter. 168 tests and over 100 test wins. How he was picked for the last one does not matter at all. Maybe he saw Mitch coming back and thought "%^&* I can only stand one more test at silly point wondering if I'm going to be hit in the back by a full toss"
matt h
Guest
At his peak for a couple of years he probably was - not whole of career though
matt h
Guest
Although Steve Waugh's extended farewell tour around Australia that distracted us from actually beating India was a bit of a shocker