Ashes 2010-11: Ricky Ponting's training session raises hope for comeback
Despite a broken finger from the third Ashes Test at Perth, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was in the nets on Thursday, taking part in fielding practice at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the rest of his team. The training
session has significantly alleviated doubts about the captain’s participation in the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
“I am going well,” says Ponting. “I said after the [Perth] game I had a good chance of playing and nothing has changed. If it is a bit sore in the morning I will have to look at numbing it off in some way, shape or form. The good
thing is I have got enough time. I have had a couple of days without having to do anything with it. It is taking it one step at a time but I am really surprised with how well it has gone in the last couple of days.”
Ponting did not bat during Thursday’s training session, but is expected to do so in a net practice on Friday, after which it will be clear whether or not he will be playing in the fourth Test.
“He had the field and things pulled up well there,” says Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin of Ponting’s performance at the training session. “The finger is recovering well, and he will have a go with the bat tomorrow.”
Ponting has proved before that his devotion to the game is greater than any minor injuries. He has not missed a single Test match since October 2004. Interestingly, last year, Ponting was also injured in a Test match at the WACA,
that time against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760. The next Test of the series was at the MCG (and on Boxing Day), and Ponting decided to play despite his injury. He went on to make a half-century in the first innings, but had to stop soon afterwards due to pain and discomfort.
The Australian team will be looking forward to the return of their captain to the field for Sunday’s Ashes Test. "He's our leader, and we get a lot of inspiration from him,” says Haddin. “You just have to see the turnaround we
had from Adelaide to Perth to see the effect he has on the cricket team. It's very important that he plays."
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