Ricky Ponting has stepped down from his duties as Australian captain for international Twenty20, announcing he has retired from the shortest form of the game at international level.
Ponting has decided that he no longer wants to play Twenty20 in order to focus on his duties as captain in both Test cricket and one-day internationals.
"After much thought and careful consideration I have advised Cricket Australia of my decision to retire from international Twenty20 cricket," he said.
"I have also spoken to Andrew Hilditch, Tim Nielsen and Michael Clarke and I feel this decision provides me the opportunity to prolong my Australian Test and one-day career, an opportunity I am extremely determined about."
Ponting, 33, said that giving up his commitment to international Twenty20 will allow him to conserve his energy for the longer form of the game.
"As I said after the fifth Test in London, I am hoping to continue playing Test cricket for as long as possible and retiring from the Twenty20 format gives me the best chance of doing this," he said.
“I will now have set periods of rest throughout the Australian summer and while touring which I feel will be very beneficial."
Ponting said his decision would not affect his availability for Twenty20 cricket for either Tasmania or the Kolkata Knight Riders.
"While I will no longer be available for Australian Twenty20 cricket, I look forward to playing with Tasmania's KFC Big Bash team where possible and to fulfilling my contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League," he said.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said his body supported Ponting's decision.
"We are very supportive of the decision Ricky has made and understanding of the reasons behind it. Needless to say he will be a huge loss to the Twenty20 side but it does present opportunities for the other players and leaders within Australian cricket to gain further experience."
"While we have not seen much of Ricky in Australia's Twenty20 matches in recent times, his innings in the first-ever Twenty20 International against New Zealand at Auckland was probably the best innings I have ever seen in the Twenty20 form of the game."
Ponting averaged 28.64 with the bat at a strike rate of 132.78 in the 17 international Twenty20 matches he played.
Australia does not play Twenty20 cricket at international level until February 5 next year, and a decision on Ponting's replacement will be made later in the year.