Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting has made a shock admission in a UK television interview, saying he played on two years longer than he should have done.

The 168-Test veteran played his last Test against South Africa at the WACA in 2012, before retiring from all forms of cricket in August of last year.

“I probably played two years longer than I should have done. I think I knew in myself that I couldn’t get better,” Ponting told Sky Sports.

“I felt that if anything, I could maintain a certain level. I think from 120, 130 Tests I knew I could not get any better.”

Ponting, who captained Australia in 77 Tests before handing the position over to Michael Clarke, believes he took on more of a mentoring role towards the end of his career.

“I wasn’t playing for me, I was playing for the younger guys in the team. Great teams that I played in had a really good solid core of experienced players and great characters.

“I might be patting myself on the back here, but I thought I was one of those players."

Clarke replaced Ponting after an intense period of speculation he described as the toughest of his career.