'It would be nice if Tendulkar retires soon'

If anyone can break Sachin Tendulkar's numerous batting records in international cricket, it is none other than Ricky Ponting.

But for him to achieve the unlikely, Australia's captain says, "It would be nice if he retires some time soon."

Tendulkar leads the run-scoring charts in international cricket with 12,273 runs in Tests and 16,903 in ODIs.

Australia's batting phenomenon Ponting is closing in on his Test tally, having scored 11,345 runs, but is a distant second in ODIs, with 12,044 runs.

Ponting paid rich tribute to Tendulkar as he closes in on his 20th year in international cricket, a milestone he will reach next month.

"He is going into his 20th year in international cricket and I think that is a pretty remarkable feat in itself. As I have said for a long time, he has been the benchmark for international players around the world."

He, however, said it would be difficult for him to get past Tendulkar's records in both forms of the game.

"The records that he has set, both in one-day cricket and Test matches, will be hard for anyone to beat, but I will keep plugging away and doing the best I can."

The 34-year-old Aussie captain also stressed that more than personal milestones he would be glad to win as many matches as possible for his country.

"Hopefully, I will keep doing well and keep winning games for Australia, and I think that is what this is all about and not about personal achievements," Ponting said.