The Australian captain Ricky Ponting says his decision to quit international Twenty20 cricket will prolong his Test and limited overs career.
Ponting denies he considered walking away from the longer form of the game on his break after losing the Ashes, and hopes his decision will take him one step closer to having a successful Ashes tour in 2013 - even at age 38.
Ponting's decision has also taken his Test deputy Michael Clarke one step closer to winning the captaincy of the Australian team in all three forms of the game.
Ponting's heading back to England to play the last four games of the one-day international series.
