Ponting for Somerset

Ponting, recently named Australia8217;s cricketer of the year, said in the statement: 8220;I am really looking forward to my stint with Somerset and hope my new teammates will play well to qualify for the later stages of both Cup competitions.

8220;If they have played that well, I might not get in the team!8221;

Somerset also said they hoped to have Ponting available for four national cricket one-day league games against Worcestershire, Sussex, Yorkshire and Durham.

The West Country Club8217;s statement added: 8220;He will also play in four championship England8217;s first-class equivalent to Australia8217;s Sheffield Shield matches against Glamorgan and Hampshire at the county ground and in the away matches against Durham and Yorkshire.8221; The last of these takes place in August.

Somserset captain Mike Burns said of Ponting8217;s impending arrival: 8220;It will be terrific thrill to have him in the side and the rest of us have a big job to do ahead of his arrival.

8220;It is a big incentive for everyone and I don8217;t think that I will be hesitating over his selection!8221; Ponting is not the first Australia captain to play for Somerset. Both Greg Chappell and Steve Waugh had spells at the Taunton-based county.