Australia in India 2004-05

Ponting fit to lead in fourth Test

Cricinfo staff

November 2, 2004

Ricky Ponting: back in charge © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting has recovered from his broken thumb and will resume as captain when the final Test against India starts at Mumbai tomorrow. Despite Adam Gilchrist leading Australia to their first series win in India in 35 years, Ponting was immediately reinstated after batting and fielding at the Wankhede Stadium without discomfort to the injury he suffered at the Champions Trophy in September.

But while Ponting's thumb has healed, there were problems for Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee - who needed four stitches after a boxing head-clash with Justin Langer at training - and Darren Lehmann. Lehmann was sent home when his injured hamstring failed to heal, but it was unlikely that he would have played anyway given the form of Michael Clarke and Simon Katich. Glenn McGrath, who passed 450 wickets in his 100th Test at Nagpur, is suffering from the flu, but is expected to recover in time to open the bowling.

The return of Ponting will force Simon Katich from No. 3 to 5 or 6, and he said Australia would not struggle for motivation in a dead rubber. "I think we'd be disappointed if we went back 2-1," Katich said. "A lot of us still have points to prove. The guys still have pride in their performance, so I'd be very surprised if anyone relaxed."

Sourav Ganguly, India's captain, will miss the match because of the thigh strain that also ruled him out of the third Test. Rahul Dravid will again lead the side.

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