I’ve given it my all: Ponting

Former Australia captain to retire after Perth Test.

PERTH: Australia's Ricky Ponting called time on a 17-year Test career that made him the world's second-highest run scorer, announcing this week's clash with South Africa will be his last.

"I know I have given cricket my all, it's been my life for 20 years,” said Ponting at a hastily called press conference at the WACA ground in Perth. “There's not much more I could give.”

Ponting, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure has been building on the veteran ahead of the crucial series decider. He will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition this summer.

"Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn't been good enough," said Ponting, who had already been dumped from the one-day and Twenty20 squads. "My passion and love for the game hasn't changed but at the end of the day (the decision) was based on my results. I'm glad I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms."

Ponting insisted the decision was entirely his own and he had not been pushed by selectors. The normally stoic batsman, affectionately known as Punter, said he was highly emotional when he told teammates.

"I tried to say a lot but I didn't get much out. They'd never seen me emotional before, but I was this morning."

Tributes pour in

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland described Ponting as one of the best players ever to pad up for his country.

"Ricky has been single-minded in his view that everything, including his own ambition, must always be second place after whatever was best for the team."

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said Ponting has been the most competitive cricketer he has encountered.



"I've played a lot against Ricky and I think he's always represented Australia with a lot of dignity and a lot of skill."

Ponting retirement to fire Aussies

Captain Michael Clarke says Australia will use Ponting's farewell Test as extra motivation in the series decider against South Africa, with the number one world ranking also at stake.

Both Clarke and Ponting described the match as a winner-take-all ‘grand final’ for the top spot.

"It will only give us more inspiration, there is no doubt about that," he said of Ponting's retirement.

South Africa will retain top spot with a win or draw after the first two games in the three-Test series ended in draws while the home team need a victory to move back to the number one spot. But the Australians have been rocked by the loss of fast bowling duo Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, both ruled out due to fatigue from the second Test in Adelaide, which finished in a tense draw on Monday.

Meanwhile, South Africa will give all-rounder Jacques Kallis until the last moment to prove his fitness for the crucial Test in Perth.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2012.