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Manchester — Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will retire from all forms of cricket in October, ending the illustrious career of one of cricket’s greatest ever batsmen. Dynamic Sports & Entertainment Group, the marketing agency that represents Ponting, said on Twitter that the 38-year-old Tasmanian will play out his club contracts with Surrey in England, Antigua Hawksbills in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League and then Indian team Mumbai Indians in the Champions League before retiring.
“While I’m enjoying my cricket as much as ever, it just feels like the right time to finish playing,” Ponting said.
“My body and mind are in great shape and I know I’m going to really enjoy these last few months before the next stage of life begins.”
An attacking batsman with a fine technique, Ponting scored 13 378 runs in 168 tests — putting him second behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time list — before retiring from test cricket last December. Ponting also played 375 one-day internationals for Australia, which he guided to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2003 and ‘07 and led a team that was long considered No. 1 in the world.
Ponting intends to spend more time with his family upon retiring.
“I’m excited about what lies ahead,” said Ponting, who was at the forefront of one Australian cricket’s greatest eras.
“We are moving to Melbourne which will be like a new beginning as a family leading a more normal life.
“I’ll be able to spend more time with family and friends, play a lot more golf and see more of North Melbourne footy games.”
Since retiring from internationals, Ponting has helped Tasmania win the Sheffield Shield — finishing the competition’s top run-scorer, too — and made 192 on his debut for Surrey last month.
Ponting retires with Australia is disarray ahead of the Ashes series against England starting in July. — AP.
Online Reporter