Ponting says ''poor form'' of late reason behind ''personal decision'' to retire

Sydney: Veteran Australian batsman Ricky Ponting has claimed his poor form of late was the major reason behind him deciding to retire after the final Test match against South Africa in Perth, which starts on Friday.

“This Test match will be my last. My passion and love for the game hasn’t changed. At the end of the day (the decision) was based on my results,” the Age quoted Ponting, as saying. “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 I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms,” he added. Ponting said he would in no way be distracted for the series-deciding Test against South Africa where the world No.1 ranking is up for grabs. “I want this win more than any other game I have played in,” Ponting said. Ponting will equal Steve Waugh’s mark of 168 Test matches in this match, the most in the history of Australian cricket. Turning 38 next month, Ponting is the highest Australian run-scorer of all time and has been described as the greatest Australian batsman outside Sir Donald Bradman. The Tasmanian has 13,336 Test runs to his name, only Indian Sachin Tendulkar has scored more in the history of cricket. ANI