Ponting bows out after 17-year career in test cricket

Despite a cheap dismissal on Monday, Ricky Ponting went out in style, leaving the game as Australia’s all-time leading test batsman after a poignant guard of honour from the South Africans.

Not long after the adoring crowd in Perth gave him a rousing sendoff, Australia’s most successful captain was soon back in the pavilion with just eight runs as his side chased an improbable 632 to win the third test.

But Ponting, who turns 38 this month, will be judged over the course of a stellar career that equalled Steve Waugh’s mark of 168 test matches – the most in the history of Australian cricket.

His South African opponents gave due recognition as he came out to bat on Monday, lining up to applaud him onto the pitch. But in truth Ponting had failed to fire in the current series, and admitted that his time was up.

The Tasmanian, who boasts 41 centuries, with only Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scoring more runs, said ahead of the series decider in Perth that he knew retirement was imminent.

“Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn’t been good enough,” he admitted.