Ponting to join Indian tour for 4th Test

Australian skipper will join the team and is expected to play the fourth Test at Mumbai after medical tests confirmed that his injured thumb had almost healed.

Ricky Ponting will join the Australian squad in India and is expected to play the fourth Test after medical tests on Tuesday confirmed his injured thumb had almost healed.

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The Australians lead the four-Test series 1-0 after winning the opener at Bangalore by 217 runs and holding on for a draw in the rain-shortened second Test at Madras.

The third Test starts on October 26 at Nagpur, with Ponting expecting to be fit for the fourth Test starting on November 3 at Bangalore. "I have a lot more strength and movement in my hand, and I'm certainly hopeful to be right for the fourth Test," Ponting said.

"I should be OK to start hitting balls by the end of this week, and will continue to work on it when I join the squad later this week." Ponting said he wanted to get to India as soon as possible. Cricket Australia doctor Trefor James said an examination by Sydney specialist Ian Hargreaves had confirmed that Pontings broken right thumb had shown significant improvement this week.

"His grip is a lot stronger than what it was, and while he will fall a few days short of being right for the third Test, we are hopeful that he will be fit for the final Test of the series," James said.

Ponting hasn't played since breaking his thumb while fielding during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal loss in England last month.

Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has been captain of the Australian test team in Ponting's absence.