Australia captain Ricky Ponting declared himself fit for the all-important fourth Ashes Test after a strong training session Saturday, saying it could be the match of his career.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting declared himself fit for the all-important fourth Ashes Test after a strong training session Saturday, saying it could be the match of his career.
Ponting broke the little finger of his left hand while attempting a slips catch during Australia's series-levelling win in Perth last weekend, putting him in doubt for the must-win Melbourne Test.
But the 36-year-old skipper said his injury was on the mend and he was all but certain of taking the pitch on Sunday, expressing surprise at how well he had been able to train.
"I've batted a lot in the last two days and I took part in all the fielding stuff out there and just made sure I caught a few balls, just to get used to the feeling of it," Ponting said after three hours' training at the MCG, the first compulsory Christmas Day session in his career.
"Something pretty strange is going to have to happen today for me not to play tomorrow." Ponting said he would not take his usual spot at second slip but would "find somewhere where I can keep myself in the game," likely mid-off.
