Ricky Ponting

The 4^th Test match between Australia and England in the Ashes series is set to start on Boxing Day.

The series is levelled at 1-1, the first test ended in a draw, the 2^nd won by England and the 3^rd won by Australia. It will be extremely interesting to see whose nerves hold out since both teams are on equal footing.

Ricky Ponting however has different fears for Boxing Day; he fractured his little finger on the left hand while he was attempting a catch in the 3^rd Test at Perth.

Jokes aside, the little finger is of utmost importance for a bowler and a batsman as well. Ricky Ponting will have difficulty facing right arm pace most of all as it will test his pinky to its maximum. Bouncers will be a cause of concern as well which the England side will throw a lot of.

Australia at this point are sure that Ponting will play the next match and that he is determined, England will be thinking if he does play it’ll be an advantage for them owing to the fact that he’s recovering from an injury, we on the other hand are thinking, does it even matter if he’s there or not? He hasn’t contributed in any way to the score board so whether he’s there or not does not make much of a difference.

Ricky Ponting is sure of his recovery for the next match saying he will be fit to play, New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja has been brought in as a stand by for Ponting in case he is still ailing.

He may not be facing a problem with his pinky during batting in the nets but the actual day will tell the real story.

Steve Waugh once scored a century in the Ashes series while suffering from a tear in the calf muscle, so if he can do it then there’s nothing stopping Ponting, the only thing that’s ultimately going to stop Ponting is Ponting himself.

England will hopefully strategise accordingly, not that Ricky Ponting was a very difficult batsman to dismiss but the fact that confidence is running high at the Aussie side and they have the advantage of their home pitches is always a factor that is required to be considered.

Ricky Ponting must therefore be a brave little boy and not worry too much about the boo boo.

Tags: Ashes 2010, Ashes Series, Australia, Boxing Day Test, Cricket, England, Melbourne, Ricky Ponting, Test Match