RICKY Ponting is set to retire from Test cricket.
Ponting, Australia's greatest run-scorer, will retire after the Perth Test against South Africa, ending one of the most distinguished cricketing careers of all time.Ponting is set to announce this afternoon that he will step aside following his 168th Test, at the WACA starting tomorrow.
The former Test skipper has often spoken of his desire to return to England next year for the Ashes but is understood to have reconsidered after failing in both innings in Adelaide.
Ponting will hold a press conference at the WACA to announce his decision.
The Tasmanian has compiled an astonishing record, scoring 13,366 Test runs at an average of 52.21.
Ponting led Australia to unprecedented success in Tests and one-dayers during his tenure as captain but repeated Ashes failures led to Michael Clarke taking over.
Ponting was dropped from the one-day team but has remained in the Test side as a specialist batsman with disappointing results.
While he dominated Sheffield Shield cricket before the recent Test series, Ponting's struggles against the Proteas attack heaped more pressure on the 37-year-old father-of-two.
TEST CAREER
- Matches: 167
- Innings: 285
- Runs: 13366
- Highest score: 257
- Average: 52.21
- 50s: 62
- 100s: 41
ODI CAREER
- Matches: 375
- Runs: 13704
- Highest score: 164
- Average: 42.03
- 50s: 82
- 100s: 30
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