Ponting announces retirement

Australia cricketer Ricky Ponting has announced his retirement from international cricket, a Cricket Australia tweet informed Thursday morning.

The third Test between Australia and South Africa starting Friday at the WACA, Perth, will be his last international game. The 37-year-old has represented Australia in 167 Tests and 375 ODIs.

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.

The third Test between Australia and South Africa starting Friday at the WACA, Perth, will be his last international game.

His decision follows some poor form in the first and second Tests and a meeting Wednesday with the Australian selectors.

"Thing that struck home was even though my preparation and feeling was good I was falling at the big moments. My decision is based on performances in this series. Not good enough output for an Australian batsman. Passion hasn't changed. Hungrier than ever and want this win [in Perth] more than anything," Ponting informed his teammates of his decision later on Thursday morning and the entire Australia squad attended the news conference at which he made his retirement public.

He said he will continue to play for Tasmania state until the end of the current season.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)