Mumbai, September 7, 2009: Ricky Ponting has announced his retirement from Twenty20 world cup as he focuses his Test cricket career after his team Ashes defeat.  Ponting was enjoying his two week break after he captained the defeated Australian team that lost consecutive Ashes series.

 

"After much thought and careful consideration I have advised Cricket Australia of my decision to retire from international Twenty20 cricket," he said.

"I feel this decision provides me the opportunity to prolong my Australian Test and one-day career, an opportunity I am extremely determined about," he added.
Ponting who is 34 took a two week breather before flying back from Sydney to London to join his team back for remaining one day internationals.  He will continue his commitment to Indian Premier League and the Australian domestic Twenty20 tournament.

"As I said after the fifth Test in London, I am hoping to continue playing Test cricket for as long as possible and retiring from the Twenty20 format gives me the best chance of doing this," he said.

"I will now have set periods of rest throughout the Australian summer and while touring which I feel will be very beneficial." he said

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's CEO said "We are very supportive of the decision Ricky has made and understanding of the reasons behind it.”  "Needless to say he will be a huge loss to the Twenty20 side but it does present opportunities for the other players and leaders within Australian cricket to gain further experience.

"While we have not seen much of Ricky in Australia's Twenty20 matches in recent times, his innings in the first ever Twenty20 International against New Zealand at Auckland was probably the best innings I have ever seen in the Twenty20 form of the game."

Australia plays it next Twenty20 game against Pakistan in Melbourne on February 5th.

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