Ricky Ponting returns to the nets to prepare for World Cup
In what can be termed as a big boost for Australia, injured skipper Ricky Ponting has finally spent some time in the nets to regain his fitness before the 2011 World Cup set to start this month in the subcontinent.
Ponting injured his finger in the third match of the Ashes series at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865 Cricket Association Ground (WACA), Perth. The Aussie then played the fourth match carrying the injury; however, the hosts lost the clash and ultimately failed in stopping
England from retaining the Ashes urn. He was then dropped from the Ashes finale so that he could recuperate from his injury.
Ponting underwent a surgery on his fractured finger (pinkie) to be fully fit in time for the World Cup. Australia are desperate to get their skipper back to full form before they begin their World Cup campaign.
Ponting, looking confident, told the press that he was healing quickly and a session in the nets will help him regain his form quickly.
Speaking on his condition, the Tasmanian said, “I'm not too bad, probably better than expected to tell you the truth. It's the first time I've hit any balls for close to a month.”
Ponting admitted to the fact that he was not one-hundred percent fit because he still felt a little pain during the session in the nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
“I started off with soft balls and plastic balls to get the feel of the bat back in my hand again, and the only ones that hurt a lot were where the bat was twisting in my hand a bit,” he revealed.
However, Ponting was satisfied by his overall performance and felt that the pain would grow less in days to come. “... I'm pretty happy with how the day went,” he concluded.
Cricket Australia (CA) must have breathed a sigh of relief after Ponting’s return in the nets because the Australia national team is already facing a barrage of injuries in its bag for the World Cup.
At this point in time, middle-order batsman Michael Hussey is nursing a hamstring injury, and there is still no confirmation if he will be fit enough to play in the World Cup. Then there is the injury of Australia’s first choice spinner Nathan Hauritz, who
had surgery on his shoulder and is also doubtful for the World Cup. Finally, there’s fast bowler Shaun Tait, who is also not one-hundred percent fit and is carrying a hamstring injury.
Australia’s World Cup preparations have certainly hit a blow because of so many injuries to their main players. However, the CA is trying its level best to get the injured players fit before the World Cup.
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