Ricky Ponting retires from Test cricket

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has announced that he will retire from Test cricket next month.

The 37-year-old will bring his 17-year career to an end after the third Test against South Africa in Perth, which begins tomorrow.

"Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn't been good enough," said Ponting. "My passion and love for the game hasn't changed.

"At the end of the day, [the decision] was based on my results. In this series so far they have not been up to the level required of batsmen and players in the Australian team.

"I'm glad to have got the opportunity to finish on my terms."

Ponting is currently one match away from equalling Steve Waugh's record of 168 Test appearances for Australia.

He has scored 13,336 Test runs - a record that is second only to Sachin Tendulkar.