Australia's Ricky Ponting (2nd L) poses with his wife Rianna and daughters Emmy (center R) and Matisse (L) at the WACA in Perth Monday. — Reuters PERTH — Ricky Ponting put on a brave face after he was denied a fairy tale ending when dismissed for eight in his final Test innings Monday, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 17-year career. Ponting, the second-highest Test run-scorer of all-time behind India's Sachin Tendulkar, announced his impending retirement before the showdown with South Africa in Perth after a record-equaling 168 Tests for Australia. The 37-year-old, who said he was more nervous for his final Test than at any other stage of his career, was looking to go out with a big knock. But he lasted just 23 balls in Australia's second innings as the home side slumped to a 309-run defeat and South Africa won the series 1-0 to retain the No. 1 Test ranking. “I felt there was one last big push for me, and the day and game was set up for it, but it didn't last long enough," Ponting said. “Even out of today, only being out there for 20-odd balls or whatever it was, was still pretty special. “It just would have been nice to have a few more next to my name." Ponting said the failure continued a frustrating recent inability to deliver in big moments that led him to retire. He walked out to a standing ovation from a crowd of around 7,000 at the WACA ground, including his wife Rianna, and parents Graeme and Lorraine. The South Africans also paid their respects, forming an unusual and poignant guard of honor when he strode to the crease, with the Tasmanian shaking hands with Proteas skipper Graeme Smith. Later, International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson, paid his own tribute. Richardson, who was in the South Africa side against whom Ponting made his international debut in 1995, said: “His contribution to the international game has been immense and quite rightly he will be remembered as one of the true legends of the sport. “He was the most successful captain in the history of Test cricket and was the first player to feature in 108 Test match victories. He also steered Australia to two ICC Cricket World Cup triumphs - as well as playing in a third - during which time they set a record of 34 consecutive victories - yet another record." Jacques Kallis with 44 and India's Sachin Tendulkar (51) are the only batsmen to have scored more Test centuries than the Tasmanian's 41. “I felt Sachin was probably the best player I played against and that's coming from more of a captain's point of view knowing he had so much success against us in our conditions and their conditions," Ponting said. “I probably lost more sleep on the eve of games to (Brian) Lara because I knew that he could single-handedly win games for his team. “It's hard to separate the class of players those two guys, you have got to put Kallis in that bracket as well when you put his wickets on top of what he's done with the bat as well." Ponting was out just minutes before lunch, getting a thick edge to Jacques Kallis when he attempted to force spinner Robin Peterson off the back foot. He loitered at the crease momentarily after his dismissal, seemingly unable to comprehend what had happened, before trudging off as the electronic scoreboard read “Thanks Ricky". He shares the record for Test appearances for his country with his predecessor as Australian captain, Steve Waugh. “(I have) no regrets," Ponting said. “I'll stand by every decision I've made on or off the field. Honestly, looking back, I don't think I'd change too much. “I'll miss the mateship. I'll miss the dressing room. that's the stuff you can't replace." — Agencies
