Ponting retires from ODIs, vows to carry on in Tests (Lead)
February 21st, 2012 - 5:51 pm ICT by IANSSydney, Feb 21 (IANS) Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting retired from ODIs Tuesday, a day after he was dropped from the squad for the rest of the Commonwealth Bank Series, but will continue to play Test matches.
The 37-year-old, who led Australia to two World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, said he took the decision after national selector John Inverarity indicated to him that he doesn’t figure in their plans.
“It’s a little bit hard to come here today and say I’m retiring when I’ve already been left out of the side. I don’t expect to play one-day international cricket for Australia any more and I’m pretty sure the selectors don’t expect to pick me either.
“John made it very clear to me yesterday the direction that they’re heading with the one-day team and that I’m not part of their plans,” he said.
Ponting also said that he doesn’t warrant a place in the side on the basis of his performance in the last five ODI games.
“I totally understand the reasons why, my performances over the last five games haven’t warranted me being in the team. The national selection panel are building a team for the next World Cup and right now I’m not a part of it,” he said.
Ponting, however, vowed to continue his Test career. He scored a drought-breaking 134 in Sydney followed by a double-century in Adelaide during the Test series against India.
“All I have left now is Test cricket so want to be the best I can be in that form of the game. The passion for the international game of cricket for me has not died or changed one little bit,” he said.
Ponting has no intentions to end his international career soon but said the day is also not far.
“I still don’t see a finish line as far as my international career is concerned. Now that one-day cricket isn’t there any more, we all know that day is coming closer and closer for me.
“I don’t think I’m the sort of person who is going to want to have a massive farewell series. I’ll make a decision when I think that I can’t contribute to winning games for Australia.”
Ponting is likely to return to Sheffield Shield cricket for Tasmania if he wants to continue playing Test cricket.
“I’m looking forward to playing some Shield games for Tasmania and getting some runs under my belt ahead of the tour of the West Indies. My club team Mowbray might see a bit of me as well,” he said.
- Ponting concedes he has played his last ODI - Feb 21, 2012
- "I'm not going to be the new Ricky Ponting", says new Australian captain Clarke - Mar 30, 2011
- Ponting fine with moving down the batting order - Oct 10, 2011
- Ponting wary of Windies threat - Apr 03, 2012
- Tasmanian Krejza still hopeful about playing Test cricket for Australia - Jan 17, 2011
- Clarke says Ponting's ODI career may not be over (Lead) - Feb 24, 2012
- Never called up selector: Katich - Dec 18, 2011
- 'I'm not ready to walk away from playing for Australia,' says Ponting - Mar 05, 2011
- Jaded Ponting cannot be rested, says Arthur - Feb 18, 2012
- Katich resigns to his fate, says Cowan worthy successor - Dec 26, 2011
- Ponting will look to score at home - Dec 08, 2011
- Falling standard of Sheffield Shield biggest problem of Oz cricket: Ponting - Mar 13, 2011
- Not worried with Zaheer's comments: Ponting - Jan 11, 2012
- Wise Ponting realised that clinging onto Oz captaincy could have finished him - Mar 30, 2011
- Humbled Khawaja recalls aspects of Test debut - Jan 09, 2011
Tags: adelaide, australian captain, commonwealth bank, double century, drought, farewell, finish line, five games, international career, international cricket, international game, national selection, odi, play one, selection panel, selectors, test career, test cricket, test series, world cup titles