Ricky Ponting to decide international future during ‘crucial next few days’

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that the next few days will be crucial in deciding his international future, but insists that he still has a lot to offer.

Ponting arrived home on Sunday morning following Australia’s World Cup quarterfinal elimination by India.

“The last couple of weeks there’s been a few differing opinions out in the papers and out in the news about me and my future as leading the team. It’s been nice the last week especially to hear some endorsement from Cricket Australia (CA) and the selectors about that position,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting, as saying.

“But that’s where the next few days are crucial to me as well. I have to really decide what I think is right for me and the team going forward. I still think I’ve got a lot to offer the team as a player and a leader,” he added.

Ponting scored 206 runs from seven World Cup games at an average of 34.33.

His 104 from 118 balls against India in the quarterfinal was his first international century in 13 months.

The 36-year-old, who has been captain for nine years, was under pressure even before the World Cup after the Ashes debacle early this year.

He has played in five World Cup tournaments, including Australia’s loss to Sri Lanka in the 1996 final and the three titles which followed in 1999, 2003 and 2007, the last two under his captaincy.