Ponting to miss one-day clash with Scotland

Published on Tuesday 11 August 2009 22:32

SCOTLAND cricket fans will be denied the chance to see Ricky Ponting at The Grange later this month, after Australia gave their captain permission to skip a trip to the one-day international in Edinburgh to embark on a post-Ashes break.

The Tasmanian opener will leave the captaincy duties on Friday, 28 August to Michael Clarke, with the tourists choosing from a 14-man panel named yesterday for their ODI and Twenty20 encounters with the Saltires and England.

"Ricky Ponting is having his workload managed and will return home to Australia after the fifth Test at The Oval and will miss the ODI against Scotland, the two Twenty20s and the start of the ODI series against England," said Australia's chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch.

"This is the last opportunity we have to give Ricky a break until next year, with the ICC Champions Trophy, ODIs against India and of course a full domestic summer against the West Indies and Pakistan to finish 2009.

"The plan for him to return to Australia before rejoining the team is considered the most appropriate course of action.

"This gives Michael Clarke another opportunity to captain the Australian Twenty20 and ODI side."

The only uncapped player in the Australian squad is Tasmanian wicketkeeper/batsman Tim Paine, who will come into contention for a debut at The Grange, if Brad Haddin is rested.

Meanwhile, Cricket Scotland has announced it is backing the 'Tickets for Troops' campaign, allowing soldiers on active service to claim free tickets for the match.

Australia ODI squad to face Scotland: Michael Clarke (capt), Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wk), Peter Siddle, Shane Watson, Cameron White.