<p>Australia's Ricky Ponting was dismissed for eight in his final Test innings today, bringing the curtain down on a 17-year career that saw him become the second-greatest run scorer in history.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Ponting, who was caught by Jacques Kallis off the bowling of Robin Peterson, announced his impending retirement before the Perth Test against South Africa -- his 168th Test.<br /><br />The South Africans formed a highly unusual guard of honour when the 37-year-old strode to the crease, with the Tasmanian shaking hands with Proteas skipper Graeme Smith as he came out.<br /><br />Ponting got off the mark with a trademark pull shot for four off Morne Morkel from the fifth ball he faced, but lasted just 23 deliveries before he was dismissed just before lunch.<br /><br />He finishes his career with 13,378 Test runs at 51.85, including 41 centuries, while sharing the record for Test appearances for his country with his predecessor as captain, Steve Waugh.<br /><br />Ponting is behind only India's Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list of leading Test runscorers.</p>
<p>Australia's Ricky Ponting was dismissed for eight in his final Test innings today, bringing the curtain down on a 17-year career that saw him become the second-greatest run scorer in history.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Ponting, who was caught by Jacques Kallis off the bowling of Robin Peterson, announced his impending retirement before the Perth Test against South Africa -- his 168th Test.<br /><br />The South Africans formed a highly unusual guard of honour when the 37-year-old strode to the crease, with the Tasmanian shaking hands with Proteas skipper Graeme Smith as he came out.<br /><br />Ponting got off the mark with a trademark pull shot for four off Morne Morkel from the fifth ball he faced, but lasted just 23 deliveries before he was dismissed just before lunch.<br /><br />He finishes his career with 13,378 Test runs at 51.85, including 41 centuries, while sharing the record for Test appearances for his country with his predecessor as captain, Steve Waugh.<br /><br />Ponting is behind only India's Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list of leading Test runscorers.</p>