Ricky Ponting denies retirement rumours

Denying speculation over his retirement this summer, Ricky Ponting has said he is more than happy playing cricket for Australia and captaining his country.

Ponting, 35, had been expected to at least complete this summer's Ashes campaign and the 2011 World Cup on the sub-continent before deciding on his future.

Last night, a television report hinted that the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney could be Ponting's last.

However, Ponting's manager James Henderson told media that the speculation was inaccurate, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"There are no plans, no consideration, whatsoever. I think you'll find when that time comes, it'll be a decision that is announced spontaneously," Henderson said.

"He is not the sort of guy that would announce it today and then have a goodbye wherever he goes," he said.

"He is looking forward to this summer and certainly has aspirations to play well beyond this summer, which Cricket Australia will endorse to you by the contractual terms he has got," the manager added.

To date, Ponting has played 146 Test matches and 351 one-day internationals.

His batting average in Test cricket is 54.66 and his highest Test score is 257.