Ricky Ponting has redemption firmly in his in mind. He has every intention to be on the Ashes tour to England in 2013, where he lost the last two series in 2005 and 2009 as captain.

And that has cut deep.

Being remembered as the only Australian captain to lose successive Ashes series in England during the 21st century doesn’t sit well with this proud Aussie.

Billy Murdoch was the first to set the unwanted record in the 19th century. They are the only two.

So even his most severe critics must admire Ponting’s confidence in his belief to last until 2013, especially as he’s on the wrong side of 37. And despite the fact John Inverarity and his selection panel have ended his ODI career after 375 appearances.

“Whether I go to England is entirely up to me,” explained the former skipper to a packed media conference at the SCG yesterday. And he’s dead right.

All he has to do is score consistent runs as he did in the series against India with 62, 60, 134, 7, 221, 60*, and he’s most definitely bound for another appearance at Lords – his fifth.

By any standards that’s a huge ask. But don’t underestimate Ricky Ponting.

Inverarity did when he wrongfully presumed Ponting would retire from Test cricket after his ODI axing.

Redemption has been joined by resolve. Ponting won over a lot of knockers yesterday by his upbeat approach to the rest of his stellar career.

His biggest problem from here on will be getting enough first-class cricket to sustain roughly 13 Tests every 12 months. He’ll only be on international duty for a quarter of the year.

So Tasmania will be high on the agenda, including 50-over games, and Twenty20s.

It’s already been confirmed Ponting’s in the Tasmanian Ryobi Cup final lineup against South Australia in Adelaide on Saturday.

It will be Ponting’s first domestic one-dayer in over four years, his seventh in 10.

If the Tassie Tigers get up, it will be the first time in nearly two decades Ponting has lifted silverware for his home state.

Let’s face it, Ponting’s cricketing life has been dramatically changed forever.

It’s how he handles it will decide if his resolve is strong enough to allow redemption.