Ricky Ponting defends skipping Sri Lanka game

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting has defended his decision to miss Sunday's third limited overs international against Sri Lanka, saying he did so to help his team win back the Ashes.

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting has defended his decision to miss Sunday's third limited overs international against Sri Lanka, saying he did so to help his team win back the Ashes.

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Ponting was criticized for sitting out the game - when the series was already decided - after having also missed the first match of the series to attend a family funeral.

Ponting said on Tuesday that "we're trying to do the best we can to manage all our players, giving them as much first class cricket as possible", adding that "all we're trying to do is give ourselves the best chance of winning the Ashes."

The five-test series against England begins in Brisbane on November 25.