Australia's highest test run-scorer and former captain Ricky Ponting has announced he will retire from test cricket.
The 38-year-old former said Thursday the third test against South Africa starting Friday will be his last.
Ponting will equal Steve Waugh's record of 168 test appearances for Australia in the Perth match and he retires with a current test total of 13,336 runs.
His decision follows some poor form in the first and second tests and a meeting Wednesday with the Australian selectors.
"Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn't been good enough," Ponting said. "My passion and love for the game hasn't changed."