
Ricky Ponting will finally play a part in this historic series, returning at the helm in the Mumbai Test. Coach John Buchanan said that his player8217;s thumb injury was doing well and should be fit to play the match starting Wednesday.
8216;8216;Ponting8217;s coming along very well. We are pleased with his progress. He will, in all likelihood, resume the captaincy but we haven8217;t decided as yet. Lehmann8217;s still here and will not play this game and will return home at some stage after the beginning of the Test8217;8217;, said Buchanan.
The other question mark is over Brett Lee, yet to play a Test on this tour. 8216;8216;Lee is still in the picture but we are still finalising our selection. The team would surely be combination of quicks and spin bowlers.8217;8217;
Finally, for all those who believed Australia would take their foot off the pedal, Buchanan had some grim words: 8216;8216;Some people are calling the match a dead rubber. We don8217;t believe in such a thing. Every Test is important for the Australian tam and we will continue as we have been playing and produce a result in this match.8217;8217;