Ricky Ponting has admitted that he might not be picked to play in next summer's Ashes if his form does not improve.
The former Australia captain has scored 20 runs in three innings in the current series against South Africa.
The 37-year-old told BBC Sport: "I live in the real world and I know that if I'm not making runs I might not see the summer out, so I definitely won't be in England.
"The disappointing thing with me in this Test series is that coming in I felt really good. My Sheffield Shield stuff was really good and I felt like I was batting better than I had in a few years.
"I haven't spoken to selectors about my immediate future and they haven't spoken to me about it either. I am sure that conversation is going to come in the near future."
Ponting stepped down as captain last year after Australia were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter finals.
Sian Cowper
