Ponting stands down as skipper

Standing down... but Ricky Ponting wants to
continue on as a batsman.
 (AFP : Dibyangshu Sarkar )

Ricky Ponting has quit the captaincy of the Australian Test and one-day teams but plans to stay on as a batsman.

The 36-year-old denied he had been forced out as skipper when he announced his decision at a press conference at the SCG this afternoon.

"I've had no tap on the shoulder from anyone. This is a decision wholly and solely from me," he said.

"I thought the timing was spot on.

"All that being said, I've made it very clear to selectors that I'm available (to keep playing Test and one-day cricket for Australia)."

Ponting endorsed deputy Michael Clarke as his replacement, although Cricket Australia said a decision needs to be made at board level before an expected announcement tomorrow.

Ponting said defending champion Australia's World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of India was the main catalyst for his decision to step aside.

"The fact that we went out of the World Cup when we did was the main reason," he said.

Ponting was often criticised for his abrasive nature but the Tasmanian is confident about how he will be remembered.

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