Ricky Ponting has no intention of giving up the Australia captaincy or quitting Test cricket despite suffering his third Ashes series failure as captain.
Ponting misses the final Test in Sydney, starting on Sunday, after a fractured finger sustained during the third Test in Perth, worsened sufficiently during the fourth Test in Melbourne.
But Ponting said retirement was not on his agenda. "I'm not thinking about it at all," the 36-year-old said in a press conference yesterday.
"I want to keep playing, I've made that pretty clear not only this week but right through the [Australian] summer.
"I think I've got a lot to offer as a player and as the captain of the Australian team and I want to continue to do that, so unfortunately I can't play this week.
"But with a World Cup around the corner I want to be the best player and leader I can through that tournament and hopefully win our fourth consecutive World Cup.
"And I want to play Test cricket post-World Cup as well, so that's what's in the future for me."
With the Ashes already lost as England lead the five-Test series 2-1 with one match drawn, all that is left for Australia is to salvage some pride with a win in Sydney.
Michael Clarke will captain the side in Ponting's absence, and he is fully focused on ensuring the series ends in parity, even if the home side have no chance of winning back the urn.
"No doubt [England] are playing really good cricket but it's a great opportunity for us, it's a huge Test match," the 29-year-old said.
"Obviously I'm honoured, it's for this Test match and hopefully we can get Punter [Ponting] right as soon as possible and get him back into whichever team. Ricky's been my leader, my captain from day one and I'm sure he'll be back as soon as possible."
