Ponting fitness boost for injury-hit Aussies by AFP

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Player:	RT Ponting
Event:	ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 23rd February 2007

 

Captain Ricky Ponting gave beleaguered Australia a boost on Thursday when he said he is expecting to be fully fit and pain-free when he arrives in the Caribbean next week for the World Cup.

 

Ponting, who missed last week's 3-0 one-day series loss to New Zealand with back trouble, had three cortisone injections to reduce inflammation caused by bone spurs in his spine but said much of the pain had eased.

 

"My back's fine," Ponting told a business luncheon here.

 

"(Doctors) said on the day that I had the injections it would be three to four days of not doing much before the injection settles down.

 

"It's been about a week and the last few nights I've slept a lot better and felt a lot better in the morning. Hopefully, when I get to the West Indies I'll be pain-free and ready to go."

 

Ponting said he felt good enough last Friday to play a round of golf, reportedly on the advice of back specialists, who claimed swinging a golf club would help maintain movement while not aggravating the inflamed area.

 

There are five Australians struggling with injuries three weeks out from their World Cup defence, but Ponting and fellow batsman Michael Clarke (hip) are the two players giving least concern.

 

Opener Matthew Hayden has been given up to three weeks to recover from the fractured big toe suffered while scoring an Australian record 181 not out against New Zealand on Tuesday.

 

Allrounder Andrew Symonds remains in doubt, but he believes he is making good progress from shoulder surgery.

 

Pace spearhead Brett Lee is the biggest concern, with Cricket Australia delaying a second round of scans on his injured ankle until Tuesday -- the day before the team flies out.

 

The paceman admitted he was only a 50-50 chance of playing in the World Cup last week after being sent home from the New Zealand tour after damaging ankle ligaments during training.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)