Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting will try to prove his fitness on Thursday ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
Ponting was restricted to fielding practise on Wednesday at the MCG as his team mates had a session in the nets.
He is nursing a left elbow injury after he was hit while batting during last week's third Test against the West Indies in Perth.
Ponting will bat in the nets on Thursday, and if he does not come through, opener Phil Hughes will take his place in the national squad.
Pace man Peter Siddle is playing for Victoria in Wednesday's one-dayer against NSW at the SCG as he tries to confirm he has recovered from hamstring soreness.
