PERTH, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s Ricky Ponting called time yesterday on a 17-year Test career that made him the world’s second-highest run scorer, announcing this week’s clash with South Africa will be his last.

“I know I have given cricket my all, it’s been my life for 20 years. There’s not much more I could give,” he said at a hastily-called press conference at the WACA ground in Perth ahead of today’s match.

Ponting, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure has been building on the veteran ahead of the crucial series decider.

He will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition this summer.

Perth will be a fitting place for Ponting to end a remarkable international career: it is where he debuted against Sri Lanka in 1995.

By playing today, he will equal Steve Waugh’s mark of 168 Test matches, the most in the history of Australian cricket.

After being made captain in 2004, right-hander Ponting went on to become one of the country’s greatest cricketers, winning more Tests as skipper (48) than any other Australian.

The Tasmanian has 13,366 Test runs to his name, including 41 centuries at an average of 52.21, with only Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scoring more. But he said he knew it was time to call it a day.

“Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn’t been good enough,” said Ponting, who had already been dumped from the one-day and Twenty20 international squads.

“My passion and love for the game hasn’t changed, but at the end of the day (the decision), was based on my results.

“In this series so far they have not been up to the level required of batsmen and players in the Australian team,” he added.

“I’m glad I have got the opportunity to finish on

my terms.”

Ponting insisted the decision was entirely his own and he had not been pushed by selectors. The normally stoic batsman, affectionately known as Punter, said he was highly emotional when he told his teammates.

Michael Clarke, the current captain, was close to tears following Ponting into the press conference, saying he would be sorely missed and the announcement took him by surprise.

In a statement, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland described Ponting as one of the best players ever to pad up for his country.