Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Australia delay naming Test team

First Ashes Test, Cardiff: England v Australia
Date: 8-12 July
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave, Red Button and BBC Sport website, plus live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Live on Sky Sports

Australia captain Ricky Ponting
Ponting was captain when Australia lost the Ashes in 2005

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says they will not name their team for the first Ashes Test against England in Cardiff until Wednesday morning.

Ponting had been expected to make the announcement on Tuesday, but on Monday fast bowler Brett Lee was ruled out.

"Only finding out then about Brett's injury and the chance of him being out for a couple of games means we haven't finalised it yet," said Ponting.

"The weather is also hindering things about what our final make-up will be."

There was rain in Cardiff on Tuesday, but it is expected to clear up in time for the start of the hugely-anticipated first Test on Wednesday.

CRICKET BLOG
BBC sports editor Mihir Bose

Australia look set to choose between off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and paceman Ben Hilfenhaus for the last spot in their team after Lee was ruled out with a tear to his rib muscle.

As well as Lee's injury, all-rounder Shane Watson is still unavailable to the tourists as he continues to struggle with an on-going thigh problem.

Australia hold the Ashes after thrashing England 5-0 in 2006-07, but Ponting will be keen to make amends for the series four years ago when his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

"The 2005 series for me and the rest of the guys in this squad is a long way away," added Ponting. "It's almost 50 Test matches ago since then.

"There's no doubt there's a lot of hunger around the group, there's a lot of desire to build on what we started when we won in South Africa earlier this year.

"Our level of play over there was exceptionally high and our standards were high and we want to maintain those through the next couple of months.

"We're really well prepared at the moment and having almost a month to get prepared for one Test match is something that's pretty unusual in all our careers."

ะพ 5:34 AM

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