Ponting announces retirement from ODI
February 21, 2012 11:16:40 UK
Ricky Ponting has announced his retirement from one-day cricket with immediate effect but will still remain a part of Australia's Test setup.
The veteran batsman was axed from Australia's ODI squad for the rest of the Commonwealth Bank Series, after which he decided that it's time to bow out from the 50-over format.
However, his form in the recent Border-Gavaskar Test series was outstanding and so he has decided to keep on playing for the Baggy Green.
In Tuesday's press conference, Ponting said: "All I have left now is Test cricket so want to be the best I can be in that form of the game."
It means that he now must head back to Australian domestic circuit, where he plays for Tasmania. He will also be able to play for the Tigers in their upcoming Ryobi Cup 2011/12 final.
"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," the three-time World Cup winner said.
Ponting is considered Australia's greatest run-scorer behind only the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.
He captained his country to two World Cup wins in 2003 and 2007 and was considered one of the best batsmen of his era.
Australia are 1.14 to win the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series, while India are 1213.00 and Sri Lanka are 5.50.
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