Ponting to be fighting fit for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan

Perth, Dec 18(ANI): Australian team officials have said that skipper Ricky Ponting will play in the Boxing Day Test despite not returning to bat after having to retire hurt in the first innings of the third Test at WACA Ground in Perth.

Ponting was hit above his left elbow while trying to duck out of a fiery 146km/h delivery from Roach, but he bravely batted on through pain for 40 minutes before retiring hurt on 23 runs.

"Ponting is expected to bat in the second innings and should be fit for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted an Australian team spokesman, as saying.

The 34-year-old took the field with strapping to protect his elbow, and said that the state of his injury was not serious.

"I'm ok. I've obviously felt better. I've tried a couple of different things and have got some different strapping and tape on it to try and take the load off certain areas around the elbow joint," Ponting said.

"I feel pretty positive. I feel a lot better this morning than I did yesterday afternoon," he added. (ANI)