Ponting to miss fifth Test

Australian captain Ricky Ponting will miss next week’s fifth Ashes Test against England after X-rays revealed further damage to a broken finger suffered earlier in the series, officials said on Thursday.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke is expected to lead Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday, with the team to be announced later Thursday.

England retained the Ashes with a crushing innings and 157-run win in the fourth Melbourne Test Wednesday, and are chasing their first series win in Australia in 24 years in the Sydney Test.

“Ricky Ponting had a repeat X-ray after the fourth Test which showed evidence that the fracture of his fifth (left) finger has moved during the course of the Melbourne Test,” team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement.

“As such he needs to commence treatment immediately to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

“The treatment options include surgery or aggressive splinting and immobilisation of the injured finger.”

Kountouris said a decision on Ponting’s treatment will be made in the next 24 hours, after further consultation with the hand specialist. “His return to cricket will be based on how quickly the fracture heals and he will hopefully commence training in the later part of the Australian summer,” he added.

“He is expected to be fully fit for the ICC Cricket World Cup.” Ponting, who fractured his little finger while attempting a slips catch in the third Perth Test, has been under immense pressure after becoming the only Australian skipper to fail to win the Ashes three times.

There was speculation during the fourth Test that Ponting’s time might be up after a run of low scores and disciplinary issues in the twilight of a celebrated playing career.

Ponting, 36, Test cricket’s second-greatest run-scorer behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar, has had a dire series, making just 113 runs in eight innings at an average of 16, prompting calls for his removal as captain.

Ponting’s setback may open to way for Pakistan-born and New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja to make his Test debut in the Sydney Test, possibly in the demanding number three spot occupied by the injured Australian skipper.

England last won a Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2003 by 225 runs under Michael Vaughan’s leadership. SYDNEY, AFP