Perhaps speculation about Ricky Ponting’s future can be dragged out as long as Kevin Rudd’s, as a press conference this morning contained no new information.

Media outlets had suggested that Ponting’s conference heralded a retirement announcement. Instead he only acknowledged that his one-day international career was effectively over after being dropped by John Inverarity’s panel.

Importantly, though, he never uttered the word ‘retire’. On being asked if that was what he was doing, Ponting said it would be disingenuous of him to claim he was retiring having been dropped.

The selectors, he said, were looking to the World Cup in 2015. They had “made it clear where they’re heading with the one day team, and that I’m not part of their plans.”

He accepted their decision graciously based on his recent string of single-figure scores. “I’m my best selector. If I’d have scored runs in these games then I wouldn’t have been dropped.”

He was, however, still available for Test selection, he said, seeming almost surprised that journalists would question it.

“I’ll continue playing Test cricket, yeah, and I’ll continue playing for Tasmania as well.”

He had received no indication from the selectors that he was unwanted in the Test side, meaning he would continue in that form of the game full steam ahead.

Ponting harked back to players like the Waugh brothers and David Boon, who retired from ODIs well before Tests. “They managed to play Test match cricket only and play it well.”

He also said he was looking forward to being able to play some Shield matches for Tasmania, a rarity in his career.

But the dropping hadn’t raised any doubts in his ability. “I’m firmly of the belief that I’ve got a lot to offer any cricket team that I play in, “ said Ponting. “I’ve still got what it takes to be a dominant player in the Test arena.”