Ponting hopes to go out on a high in England

Sydney, Sep 8 (ANI): Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who will rejoin the tour of England today, has said that he wants to leave the country on a high after what has so far been a dissapointing tour for the Kangaroos.

"I'm looking forward to getting over to England and joining the guys. We've got off to a great start in the one-day series. "I'm looking forward to being a big part in the last four games over there and hopefully bringing something away from what has otherwise been a reasonably disappointing tour of England," The Independent quoted Ponting, as saying before he boarded the flight from Sydney.

Ponting, 34, announced his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket yesterday and is now intent on returning to winning ways following Ashes defeat.

He has spent the past fortnight recuperating with his family ahead of the final four matches of the NatWest Series and will not play in the third encounter in Southampton tomorrow.

Australia have opened up a 2-0 lead in his absence and this latest rest, allied to a reduction in appearances for Australia in future, is designed to extend his time at the top.

"The last 10 or 12 days for me has been about reflection looking back to the Ashes and looking forward to the rest of my playing career," Ponting said.

"I've thought long and hard and spoken to a lot of people about me going forward. The decision that I've made is all to do with my longevity in the game. As I said when I came back from England, I'm really passionate and committed to being the best player that I can be for Australia for as long as possible. Over the last couple of years of found it increasing difficult to play all three forms of the game at the level that I want to play them," Ponting said. (ANI)