Ricky Ponting announces his retirement at a press conference in Sydney . the last of which was the first Ashes series Australia had lost at home in 24 years . Two - time ICC Player of the Year cites a desire for improvement as his reason for quitting . Michael Clarke is tipped to succeed Ponting when the new captain is named on Wednesday . Ponting emerges as the most successful Australian captain ever , with 12,363 runs .
Ricky Ponting announces his retirement at a press conference in Sydney . Two - time ICC Player of the Year cites a desire for improvement as his reason for quitting . Michael Clarke is tipped to succeed Ponting when the new captain is named on Wednesday . Ponting emerges as the most successful Australian captain ever , with 12,363 runs .