​Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has revealed a burning desire to return to county cricket with Somerset before hanging up his boots.

Ponting averaged a Bradmanesque 99.0 in four first-class innings – including two centuries and a highest score of 117 against Glamorgan at Taunton – during a month-long cameo for Somerset in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004.

But Australia’s relentless international itinerary has so far prevented the 35-year-old Tasmanian from completing his unfinished county business.

Australia’s leading run-scorer in both Tests and one-day internationals plans to make himself available to the Cidermen again in the next few years.

“I definitely want to go back to Somerset for another crack at county cricket,” said Ponting.

“I had a great time there in 2004 and I’ve always wanted to go back for a longer stint. Playing so much international cricket, we don’t get a lot of time off these days, but in the future I can see myself back at Taunton for sure.

“Who knows what will happen in the future? But coaching, playing, and just being around the Somerset group are possibilities.”

Ponting has so far plundered 12,000 Test runs at an impressive 55.67 average from 142 matches and owns more Test hundreds (39) than anyone but Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar (47).

He also averages 43.24 from 343 one-day internationals – earning him the right to be revered as a modern day great, as well as one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen.