Ponting leaves future in selectors' hands

Ricky Ponting has had a rough few months as Australia captain © AFP Enlarge

Ricky Ponting has said he wants to continue playing but that his fate is in the hands of the selectors after Australia's quarter-final exit from the World Cup.

Ponting, 36, scored a measured century in the game against India in Ahmedabad but it was not enough to lead the three-time defending champions to victory, thereby relinquishing the trophy they have held since 1999.

"I was asked before the quarter-final and at the media conference immediately after if I was retiring. I am not," Ponting wrote in his column in the Australian. "It is my intention to keep playing cricket; I might not be the best judge of what my contribution to Australian cricket is.

"There are a panel of selectors who have that job and I am happy to accept their judgment."

Ponting's leadership has also been criticised since Australia lost the Ashes to England at home in January - making him the first Australian captain to concede the urn three times in over a century - and there have been reports that the selectors are contemplating replacing him at the helm. Ponting, however, said he is focused on getting Australia back to the top as quickly as possible.

"We need to rally together to review all aspects that have contributed to our performances over the past six months. There will be casualties and change coming out of this [Cricket Australia] review but I am also confident it will highlight a number of programs, structures and people that remain the best or very close to the best in the world.

"Building on our strengths while working hard on our weaknesses will ensure that we are in the best possible shape to win back the World Cup in 2015 as well as the Ashes and other major trophies in the years ahead."

The loss to India marked Australia's earliest exit from a World Cup since 1992, and while Ponting admitted to being "shattered", he thinks a knee-jerk reaction to the poor results of the last few months will do more harm than good.

"A clear-the-decks policy is fraught with danger. Young players need to be nurtured and the best way for that to be done is with senior guys around them."