Ricky Ponting has relinquished as Australia's captain in all formats of cricket following their quarter-final exit from the World Cup but he will be available as batsman in Test and One-Day Internationals. Ponting announced at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Tuesday and backed the new skipper Michael Clarke to take over the leadership of the Australian team. Ponting said that his selection in all formats of cricket is now in the hands of selectors after the World Cup exit.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said, "I have resigned as captain of both formats of cricket Test and ODIs Australian teams. I will continue my form as a batsman in both formats of cricket. Now it is the right time for the next skipper to prolong the responsibilities for both Test and ODIs teams. We have to do everything for regain our fame in Ashes 2013-14 and the World Cup 2015. From today, it is a fresh beginning for me and I am very eager about my career. I will completely back to our new captain and keep on doing my best to set the best example for my team-mates and promising cricketers too".
Ponting articulated his desire to travel to Bangladesh for three ODIs in April. The team for their scheduled tour will not be announced yet but Ponting's announcement allowed Clarke to prolong his leadership on the tour, before tough tours against Sri Lanka and South Africa later in the year. On his arrival to Australia from a futile World Cup defense, Ponting had said he was geared up to step down the captaincy and also move down the batting order if it was in the beneficial for the Australian team.
Ponting grasped the Australian Test and one-day captaincy since he took over from Steve Waugh. He led Australia in 77 Tests of which 48 were victorious, the most for any captain. He also captained Australia in a record 228 ODIs and succeeded in 164, including two World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
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