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 announced 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 reconsidered after his failures in the Brisbane and Adelaide.

During his press conference to confirm the decision Ponting said he didn’t want to dwell on his achievements believing that discussion belonged to another time given the importance of the Test match.



He said the decision was something he had thought long and hard about and that his recent performances indicated his level was not what he would have liked.



“My level of performance hasn’t been good enough. My passion and love for the game hasn’t changed one bit



“As far as I’m concerned my immediate focus now and I know the team's immediate focus is what we’re presented with tomorrow.



Australia will take the top spot on the ICC table if it can beat South Africa in the third and final Test of the series.



“We’re going into what I believe is almost a grand final," Ponting said.



"I’m hungrier than ever and want this win probably more than any game I’ve ever played in.



“If we win then there’s no better time to give it away anyway.



“Ironically this is where it all started (Perth) for me and it’s where it’s going to finish.”



“It struck me only a few weeks ago that my preparation was good as it’d been. But when the big monuments came around my performance hadn’t been good enough for the team.”



“I’m very comfortable with the decision I’ve made. Timing-wise it’s the right time, at the end of a series.



“There’s not much more I can give.”

The Tasmanian has compiled an astonishing record, scoring 13,366 Test runs at an average of 52.21. He is the second highest run scorer behind Sachin Tendulkar.

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