Ricky Ponting put on a brave face after he was denied a fairytale ending when dismissed for eight in his final Test innings on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 17-year career.

Ponting, the second-highest Test run-scorer of all-time, announced his impending retirement before the showdown with South Africa in Perth after a record-equalling 168 Tests for Australia.

The 37-year-old, who said he was more nervous for his final Test than at any other stage of his career, was looking to go out with a big innings. But he lasted just 23 balls in Australia’s second innings as the home side slumped to a 309-run defeat and South Africa won the series 1-0 to retain the number one Test ranking. “I felt there was one last big push for me, and the day and game was set up for it, but it didn’t last long enough,” Ponting said.

“Even out of today, only being out there for 20-odd balls or whatever it was, was still pretty special. It just would have been nice to have a few more next to my name.” Ponting said the failure continued a frustrating recent inability to deliver in big moments that led him to retire. He walked out to a standing ovation from a crowd of around 7,000 at the WACA ground with his family.