Ricky Ponting deserves to leave cricket on his terms.

It didn’t happen for him in the one-day game, it’d be a shame if his departure from Test cricket went the same way.

But it doesn’t really seem to bother him.

A day after he was terminally dropped from Australia’s one-day side, Ponting refused to say he had retired from the 50-over format, but acknowledged he would not play a one-day international again.

He seemed to take some pleasure in disappointing the expectant media at his press conference on Tuesday by announcing he would continue playing Test cricket.

His decision to stay on was hardly a surprise.

Ponting showed throughout the last 12 months he’s not one for walking away, even under enormous pressure as his Test career was in peril.

And that’s most likely the way he’ll continue.

If he retired from all cricket on Tuesday, he would have done so after being dropped.

That’s not the way Australia’s second greatest batsman should go, and it’s not the way he wants to.

He admitted that being axed from the one-day side prompted him to contemplate how his Test career would end. But he’s not worried about a farewell tour like Steve Waugh, nor does he seem too fussed if he hangs on too long.

“I don’t mind people trying things and failing,” he said.

He says he just has a burning desire to keep playing international cricket.

Even though recent history suggests he’ll keep going until he’s told to stop, he’s adamant he’ll make the decision “when I think I can’t contribute to winning games for Australia.” As it should be.

But he should make the decision before giving the selectors the chance to do it.

He risks having the decision taken out of his hands by aiming as far ahead as the 2013 Ashes tour, desperate to erase the horrors of his last two trips to England where he lost both series.

Pride helped him respond to the pressures of 2011 by belting 544 runs in four Tests against India at an average of 108.8.

It’s also driving him to strive for redemption in 2013, when he’ll be 39.

He admits he could be too proud, but “only if it ends badly.”

“But I’m backing myself to finish the game and finish my career on a high, I don’t want to finish on a low. And I’ll make the right decision at the right time, there’s no doubt about that.”

If he, and not the selectors, is the one to make that decision, his fighting pride might one day need to give way to pragmatic humility.