Ponting Retire From Test After Perth

Perth: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Thursday announced his retirement from Test cricket with this week's Perth Test against South Africa to be his last.

"A few hours ago I let the team know that this upcoming Test will be my last," he said at a hastily-called press conference.

The former Australia skipper, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure was building on the 167-Test veteran ahead of Friday's third Test in Perth.

Ponting admitted in Adelaide that he was a realist and knew that if he did not start scoring runs then he "definitely" would not be in England for the Ashes in July and August next year.

Ponting has spoken in the past about his burning motivation to keep on playing after leading Australia to back-to-back Ashes series defeats before Michael Clarke took over the captaincy.

Ponting is Australia's top Test run-scorer, behind only India's Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time Test list, with 13,366 runs.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs England - 5th T20I Sri Lanka vs New Zealand - 2nd ODI 3rd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 18, 08:00 GMT 3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand - November 19, 09:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia West Indies won by 5 wickets (with 6 balls remaining) 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Sydney Australia won by 13 runs

South Africa Retain No.1 Test Position [+]

South Africa retained the top spot in the ICC Test rankings after beating Australia by 309 runs in the third and final Test clinch the series 1-0.

South Africa Win Series, Stay on Top [+]

South Africa ruined Ricky Ponting's farewell with an emphatic 309-run victory over Australia in the third Test to clinch the three-match series 1-0.

Ricky Ponting Out For Eight in Final Test Innings [+]

Ricky Ponting was dismissed for eight in his final Test innings on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a 17-year career that saw him become the second-greatest run scorer in history.

Hosts Need Record 632 to Win Series [+]

Amla and de Villiers drove Proteas to a commanding lead of 631 runs before they were dismissed for 569 on the third day of the third Test against Australia.

Smith, Amla Punished Australia [+]

South Africa produced a dominant performance with bat and ball as they powered their way into an almost unassailable position on day two of the third Test at the WACA on Saturday.

Bowlers Enjoy in 1st Day of Perth Test [+]

After South Africa were bowled out for 225, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander struck early blows to leave Australia at 33 for 2 at stumps on Day 1.

South Africa to Bat, Elgar Debut [+]

South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat first in the third and potentially decisive final Test against Australia at the WACA in Perth.

Aussies, Proteas Fight For Top Spot [+]

South Africa and Australia will both be forced to call on fringe players when the number one ranking in Test cricket goes on the line in the final Test in Perth.

Ponting Retire From Test After Perth [+]

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting called time on his Test career, announcing this week's clash against South Africa in Perth will be his last

Johnson, Hastings Called up For Perth Test [+]

CA has today announced a 14-player squad for the third Vodafone Test against South Africa starting Friday at the WACA Ground.