Australian captain Ponting to be rested

MELBOURNE: In a bid to manage his workload ahead of the World Cup, Australian captain Ricky Ponting will be rested when the host nation takes on England in Brisbane on Friday in their triangular series one-day international.

With two wins from as many matches, after comfortable victories over both England and New Zealand, the Australians are at unbackable odds to reach the finals of the series.

With that in mind, the Australian selection panel announced on Monday that Ponting would miss Friday's game, with wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist to take over the captaincy and Mike Hussey's incredible rise continuing with his promotion to vice-captain.

Ponting's omission also opened the door for an unexpected recall for forgotten Victorian batsman Brad Hodge.

Hodge, who has not played for Australia for almost a year, is likely to slot into the middle order in Ponting's absence, in a timely opportunity ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Ponting had been playing continuously since late September and would benefit from a rest.
"We feel that Ricky Ponting needs and deserves a break," he said.

"He has played every match for Australia in all forms of the game since the DLF Finals in Malaysia in September, and we think this is the right time for him to allow his body to rest ahead of the World Cup.  We've taken this approach to managing workload in previous years with success."

Hodge, who made a double century against South Africa last summer but lost his Test spot soon after, has played just five one-day internationals and has the modest average of 15.80.

His last limited-overs appearance for Australia was against Sri Lanka last January, and he seemed to have fallen out of favour with the selectors.

However, Hilditch said he fully deserved his recall.

"Brad Hodge is a logical replacement for Ricky in this squad of 14," Hilditch said. "He has been in exceptional form for Victoria this summer," he added.

Hodge was grateful for the chance to revive his international career.

"Sometimes in cricket and especially representing Australia it might be the one chance that you get it's such a great side," he said.

"This is a window of opportunity for me.  I've just got one game and one little opportunity and hopefully I can perform well and make an impression like I always try to do, and then maybe you never know about selection further down the track," Hodge said.

Having made an impressive international debut against New Zealand in Hobart on Sunday, pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus has been retained in the 14 man-squad for the Brisbane game.

Veteran paceman Glenn McGrath is expected to play after missing the Hobart game with groin soreness, while Brett Lee is close to returning after the bout of bronchitis that caused him to miss the first two triangular series matches.