Ponting returns to Australian side
MELBOURNE, Dec. 25 - Captain Ricky Ponting said Saturday he
will take his place in the Australia cricket side for the fourth Ashes
test against England after again testing his broken finger in a batting
session.
Ponting said Saturday he would move away from his regular catching
position at second slip for the test starting Sunday after fracturing
his left little finger while attempting a catch during the third test in
Perth. “The boys have been joking about that this morning actually, that
I could be fine leg to fine leg through the game,” Ponting said of his
new fielding position, likely to be mid-off. “I won’t be at second slip
but I’ll find somewhere where I can keep myself in the game. “The
finger’s good. I’m pretty surprised how I’ve been able to train.”
While Ponting has had difficulty at the crease in this series —
averaging under 20 — he has averaged 62.42 in 13 tests at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground, where officials are expecting a record crowd of
91,000-plus on the first day.
Australia’s Perth win last week levelled the five-match series at
1-1. A win by England in Melbourne would allow Andrew Strauss’ side to
retain the urn. Australia has not named its side, although selectors may
stick with the four-man pace attack which was successful in Perth, which
would mean uncapped spinner Michael Beer would be 12th man and be
released to state duties for Western Australia.
Uncapped batsman Usman Khawaja is on standby for Ponting but it’s
unlikely the left-hander will be required. “We haven’t finalized the 11
yet.” Ponting said. “We’ll wait until the morning to see one, what the
weather’s like, and two, if the wicket changes at all.” England pace
bowler James Anderson was expected to train Saturday and test out a side
strain that has bothered him since Perth, but was expected to play.
His teammate Jonathan Trott said the nature of the series — a draw,
innings win by England in Adelaide and a big win by Australia in Perth,
has made for an exciting series.
“Going 1-0 up and being really, really keen to perform, things didn’t
go our way (in Perth),” Trott said. “It was a good example of how test
cricket can turn around pretty quickly.” |