Australia’s all-time leading Test batsman and most successful captain, Ricky Ponting, has announced his retirement from international cricket. He had already called a halt on his captaincy of the Test and one-day team in March last year, but continued on as a player.

Ponting confirmed yesterday that tomorrow’s third Test against South Africa will be his last. He also conceded that time has caught up with him:

Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn’t been good enough. My passion and love for the game hasn’t changed but at the end of the day (the decision) was based on my results. I’m glad I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms.

Ponting will equal Steve Waugh’s record of 168 test appearances for Australia in the Perth match and he retires with a current Test total of 13 336 runs, second only to Sachin Tendulkar.