Ponting gets ready for Boxing Day Test

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he would be fit in time for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan starting in Melbourne.

Updated on: Dec 25, 2009, 23:55:55 IST

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Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Friday said he would be fit in time for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan starting in Melbourne.

Ponting suffered a nasty hit on his elbow off Kemar Roach’s bowling during the Perth Test against the West Indies.

On Christmas Day, he faced teammates Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger during a gruelling net session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and said that he has a ‘strong chance’ to play.

“I had a bit of pain in the nets yesterday but I went well today,” said Ponting. “I was always going to bat two days into the game. I’m really confident that I can play the game.”

New South Wales’ opener Phillip Hughes will stay with the team as standby until the match starts. Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz also benefitted from Friday’s session, as Ponting said the signs were good he was recovering well from a groin problem and would play.

New South Wales leg spinner Steven Smith, 20, will make his debut if Hauritz is ruled out.

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