Ricky Ponting has a few hours ago announced that he would no longer play test matches for Australia after the upcoming Test against South Africa in Perth on Thursday. The former skipper for Australia both in test and one day matches was one of the most successful captains for the Aussies.

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

Ricky would turn 38 next month but he has already realized his cricketing career is nearing its end with his performance not on par with expectations in the past few tests against South Africa. His 167-test match experience couldn't out do the the requirement of his physical abilities which has coerced him to make the drastic announcement ahead of the third Test against the Proteas which would commence tomorrow.

He admitted that his poor performance would keep the selectors thinking about his position in the Ashes series, next year August and July. It was he who earlier mentioned of an undying desire to play in the team for Ashes after Michael Clarke took the helm into his hands after back-to-back losses in the prestige wars.

The cricketing world would miss a very successful captain with his sudden retirement.

(AW- Anil)