 "Ponting primed for South Africa series")
Ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting says he’s refreshed and primed to take on No. 1-ranked South Africa in a three-test series next month. The 37-year-old batsman has focused intensely on his fitness since his last test against the West Indies in April, saying he made the most of a rare winter off after quitting limited-overs international cricket. [caption id=“attachment_486893” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AP[/caption] Australia’s leading test runscorer shrugged off speculation last year about his retirement plans and intends to keep playing as a specialist batsmen under captain Michael Clarke as long as selectors pick him. After scoring an unbeaten 85 for Tasmania in a domestic first-class match against South Australia on Thursday, Ponting said, “I have got myself in a good state now, and feeling good about everything, so I am right where I want to be.” AP
The 37-year-old batsman has focused intensely on his fitness since his last test against the West Indies in April, saying he made the most of a rare winter off after quitting limited-overs international cricket.
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