The ex- captain of Australia and discarded top order batsman, Ricky Ponting expected that his ouster from One Day Internationals will prolong his Test cricket.

The diminishing form of Ponting in ODIs continued in the Commonwealth Bank Series 2011-12 where his willow became dry and runs kept running away from it. He took part in five games and managed a mere 18 runs at a bleak average of 3.60 with the best of seven runs.

The 37-year-old was handed over the captaincy in his last ODI due to fitness problems of their regular skipper, Michael Clarke. He led Kangaroos to a comprehensive victory of 110 runs against India on February 19, 2012 at Brisbane but scored just seven runs. That proved to be his last encounter and he was resolute that the Australian selectors will not prefer him in such games in future while assessing,
“I am 37 so I am not sure they will turn back to me unless they have 10 injuries out of nowhere. I am fine with that.”
Ponting has served the nation from the front by clinching the World Cup twice. He has taken part in 375 ODIs, smashed 13704 runs at an excellent average of 42.03, the best of 164 with the assistance of 30 centuries and 82 fifties. He is the second highest run scorer in the ODIs whereas Sachin Tendulkar is ruling the world with 18254.

Australia will be touring West Indies and will play three Test series against them besides five ODIs and two Twenty20s. They will have a full series against South Africa followed by the Ashes series and Ponting has focussed his eyes on the forthcoming encounters.

He said, “The next lot of cricket we will play will be in the Caribbean then we will have strong opposition sides in South Africa and an Ashes series not long after that.”

Ricky Ponting was among the best performers with the bat in the recently concluded four Test series against India which was whitewashed by the home side 4-0. He was the second highest run getter among both teams and played a key role in the historical victory. The majestic batsman blasted 544 runs at an exceptional average of 108.80 runs, the best of 221 with two centuries and three fifties.

The master blaster has appeared in 162 Tests, thrashed 13200 runs with a super average of 58.99, the best of 257 runs accompanied with 41 hundreds and 61 fifties. He stands at no.3 among the all time highest run scorers in this format with Tendulkar at top spot while hammering 15470 and Rahul Dravid falling just behind by clobbering 13288 runs.

Ricky Ponting was relaxed mentally and feels like throwing a heavy baggage off of his back after taken away from the limited overs cricket. He was sure that his performance will be better than ever in the time to come and commented,
“It will give me a chance to really freshen up, be fit for every game I play. Be as fit and as strong as I have ever been. I am pleased with my longevity, you cherish every moment you have and get every last bit out of yourself.”