Ricky Ponting has backed Simon Katich's criticism of Cricket Australia's selectors for sacking him from Test cricket last week.

Ponting was appearing on last night's Footy Show when he said Katich had been right to lambast the decision to the press and said he was as shocked as Katich was by it.

He added his perfomance over the last 2-3 years had been as good as anyone else's in the world and pointed out that age was definitely a factor in the selection process.

Ponting and Mike Hussey are both now 36, the same age as Katich, but have been retained for 2011/12.

Michael Clarke will take on captaincy this year, starting with a Test tour of Sri Lanka in August.

It's believed that 22-year-old Phil Hughes will win a recall at the top of the order to partner Shane Watson.