Australia's Test captain Michael Clarke was one of the first to praise Ponting for his contribution to cricke but said he would want to hear it from the great first before believing it. Clarke was launching Australia's Ashes campaign in London today ahead of the first Test next month when he was told Ponting had announced he would be retiring from all forms of cricket in October. "He's been an amazing player there's no doubt about it and done so much for the game of cricket but I'd like to hear it out of his own mouth before I comment further," Clarke said adding he would be calling Ponting later today. Chris Rogers, brought into the Australian squad to replace suspended David Warner should he not to ready to play, said Ponting would be missed from the game. "One of the best if not the best," Rogers said today. He set standards the rest of us have to follow. To play against him even this year and watch him dominate just shows what a fabulous player he is and I have nothing but huge respect for him.