Ponting fractures finger

Australia captain Ricky Ponting fractured his finger during a blistering third Ashes match, officials said Sunday, leaving him in question for the fourth day of the Test.

"Ricky Ponting had an x-ray last night that has confirmed a small fracture of his left little finger," said team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"A decision on whether he will field today will be made during the team warm up this morning."

Ponting, who has scored just 83 runs so far in the series at 16.60, went off late in the evening session Saturday after hurting his finger while trying to take a catch to remove Jonathan Trott in a crucial session which left Australia just five wickets from levelling the series.

The injury was one of Australia's few disappointments on the third day, as the tourists watched their ascendancy slip away as a series of quick wickets fell in the final minutes of play. If England can somehow conjure an unlikely win in the match they will retain the Ashes, while an Australian victory will level the series with two Tests to play. Australia's second innings of 309 was anchored by a brilliant effort from Mike Hussey, last man out for 116.

AFP