First Test, Melbourne: Australia v Pakistan
Venue: MCG Dates: 26-30 December Start time: 0000 GMT
Coverage: Live scores and daily reports on BBC Sport website. Live on Sky
 Ponting was barely able to hold the bat after being struck on the elbow
|
Australia are confident captain Ricky Ponting will overcome an elbow injury in time to play in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the MCG.
Ponting suffered the injury on day one of the third Test against West Indies on 16 December and has been having intensive treatment since then.
He was able to bat in the nets for the first time on Thursday and showed no obvious signs of discomfort.
How the joint feels on Christmas Day will determine whether he plays.
Australia called up opener Phillip Hughes as cover in a 13-man squad and vice-captain Michael Clarke is on standby to captain his first Test, but is confident Ponting will pull through.
"He is obviously a very tough bloke and cricketer and you would probably have to cut his arm off for him to miss the Boxing Day Test match," said Clarke.
"I have been confident all week that Punter will be fine and ready for the Boxing Day Test match.
"He hit the ball quite well and he is obviously in very good form and fingers crossed he pulls up well on Christmas Day."
 |
606: DEBATE
|
Fast bowler Peter Siddle looks to have recovered from the hamstring injury which caused him to miss out as Australia sealed a 2-0 series victory against the Windies.
He could take the place of Clint McKay, who took one wicket in his Test debut in the third Test.
However, Ben Hilfenhaus is not yet ready to return because of a knee problem and also remains a doubt for the second Test in Sydney.
The visitors are likely to provide a far more testing assignment for the hosts than the series win over West Indies.
Pakistan have never won a Test series on Australian soil but appear to have a more balanced attack than the hosts, with quicks Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamer - the world's best leg spinner at present in Danish Kaneria - plus dangerous off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
They go into the series without senior batsman and former captain Younus Khan - but that might be about to change if current skipper Mohammad Yousuf gets his way.
"I called Younus because we have always been good friends and we have played a lot of cricket together," Yousuf said.
"I would definitely like to see Younus back in the team as soon as possible because he is a very experienced batsman and the team is missing him.
"He has been to Australia before and scored lot of runs there, so I want to see him in the team."
Younus is available for selection again after missing the tour of New Zealand due to his desire to take a break from international cricket.
Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.
- viagra soft tabs
- buy propecia online - order generic propecia online
- buy cilais without prescription
- generics pharmacy
No comments:
Post a Comment