Ricky Ponting announces retirement, official

[Robelinda]

I hope indian fans and Sachin fans pay their respects. (

[BeautifulGame]

:hatsoff: to a legendary career. But personally happy that he has retired. 1. It's never good to see great players struggle 2. We don't have to bowl to him in the Aus series

[Nova]

AUSTRALIA'S greatest run-scorer, Ricky Ponting, 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 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/ricky-ponting-to-retire/story-e6frfg8o-1226526664096

[Nova]

:hatsoff: to a great player. The writing was on the wall... it was about time. Australia will definitely miss him.

[Lurker]

Greatest batsman ever, by a far mile..... (from Tasmania)

[CG]

Great batsman

[Old guy]

wow.. i thought he would play atleast one more test ..i think he made the right call australia will miss his services :hatsoff: i think its very fulfilling career ...2 world cups as captain what more can u ask for ? :D

[BeautifulGame]

Will he continue play in Big Bash?

[Chalks]

Good on him for jumping before he was pushed. Whatever anyone might think of him, he will go down as a all-time great - Australia's second greatest batsman after Bradman, and almost without peer in the field. Did have some success as captain - two World Cups as sabby mentioned, the Ashes whitewash in 06/07 and a 3-0 in South Africa in 06 (only time it's been done since RSA's re-admission). Hope he has one or two good knocks left in him in his final test. :cheer:

[zep1706]

He was unbelievably good at his peak for about 6-7 years. The best player of short pitch bowling that I have seen. Will definitely miss him.

[Old guy]

He was unbelievably good at his peak for about 6-7 years. The best player of short pitch bowling that I have seen. Will definitely miss him.

seriously that pull shot of his

[Tiger80]

:hatsoff::hatsoff: to a legend

[Robelinda]

Will he continue play in Big Bash?

yes, he'll play the big bash and play out the first class season with tasmania.

[zep1706]

seriously that pull shot of his

Not to mention he was one of the greatest fielders ever and remained so throughout his career, unbelievable fitness.

[Bradman99]

Very good timing, will have the team right up for the last test. Absolute legend of the game and when he is on form, he was my favourite Aussie to watch.

[vvvslaxman]

One of the greatest no.3 batsman ever. Respect :hatsoff:

[Trundler27]

This truly marks the end of the great Aussie era and aura. Along with 6-7 other greats, he formed a truly all-time great international team that dominated the cricketing world for a decade. Although he retired well past his peak I must add.

[India-KXIP fan]

:hatsoff: to a legendary career. But personally happy that he has retired. 1. It's never good to see great players struggle 2. We don't have to bowl to him in the Aus series

He's obviously *****ing his pants now cause Harbhajan is back in the team. Good on him, I too would be scared if I were him and had to face such lethal off spin. Better to save your stats and legacy. :nice: Overall good career :hatsoff:

[Cricketics]

Will miss him. He used to get so much stick here but I always enjoyed his batting and loved watching him bat. Sad to see him go. Will miss him. Thank you Punter

[asterix]

:hatsoff: Respect.