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 Ponting likely to play in fourth Test
 Sydney, Oct 19: Australian captain Ricky Ponting is likely to play in the fourth cricket Test against India in Mumbai starting on November 3 after medical tests confirmed that his fractured thumb had improved significantly. Ponting, who broke his thumb during the ICC Champions Trophy last month, was likely to join the squad in India this weekend before the third Test beginning in
Nagpur on October 26.
"Ricky's thumb has improved considerably since his last examination," said Cricket Australia medical adviser Dr Trefor James. "His grip is a lot stronger than what it was, and whilst 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," he said adding his progress would be monitored in the lead-up to the fourth Test before a final decision is taken.
Ponting has missed the first two Tests of the ongoing series which Australia lead 1-0 and now plans to fly to India on Friday as he said he was encouraged with the progress. "Everything has progressed quickly as the surgeon suggested it might. I've got a lot more strength in it (thumb) so all going to plan I should be hitting balls by the end of this week and with a bit of luck I'll be able to fly out of here probably Friday morning," the skipper said.
"Obviously, I'm not certain to play, but I have a lot more strength and movement in my hand, and I'm certainly hopeful to be right for the fourth Test in Mumbai," he added. (Agencies)
Published: Tuesday, October 19, 2004
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