Ponting retires from ODI cricket
Ricky Ponting accepts he will no longer play limited overs cricket for Australia but remains available for Test selection.
The 37-year-old told a press conference he was no longer in Cricket Australia’s plans for one-day or Twenty20 cricket.
“I don’t expect to play one-day international cricket for Australia anymore and I don’t think the selectors do either.”
“I’ve been dropped from the one-day international team which I’m disappointed about, but life goes on for me,” Ponting said.
“My form over the last five games hasn’t warranted my selection in the team.”
“I’ll continue playing Test cricket and I’ll continue playing cricket for Tasmania as well.
“I think I’ve proven to myself and everyone else that I’m still capable of playing Test cricket.”
Ponting’s omission from the one-day squad came despite leading Australia as stand-in skipper in its past two one-day internationals.
He admits his form did not warrant his continued inclusion.
“If I’d have scored runs in these five games, obviously I wouldn’t have been dropped.”
“The reason I’m disappointed about getting dropped is because of how much I love playing for my country.”
“I’ve got no bitterness at all. I totally accept what has happened and their reasons why.”
Ponting played 375 one-day internationals for Australia, scoring 13,704 runs, and won three World Cups in the short version of the game.
He said the 2003 World Cup final, where he belted an unbeaten 140 against India, was the highlight of his 17-year ODI career.
Ponting says he can still perform at Test level and expects to continue his international career in the West Indies later in the year.
“I’ve got a lot to offer any cricket team that I play in, any team I’m a part of,” he said.
“I still have what it takes to be a dominant player at international level in the Test arena.”
The Tasmanian also denied he has set himself a deadline to retire from the five-day version of the game.
“The passion for international cricket for me has not died just yet,” he said.
“I still don’t see a finish line as far as international cricket is concerned just yet.” (Courtesy ABC)
