Australia have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the second Test, resisting the urge to add Steven Smith as a second spinner following Pakistan’s struggles against Nathan Hauritz in Melbourne
Brydon Coverdale at the MCG30-Dec-2009
Ricky Ponting will play in Sydney despite experiencing greater pain in his injured elbow during the MCG Test•Getty Images
Ricky Ponting has declared himself a certain starter for the Sydney Testbeginning on Sunday despite suffering more pain than he expected in his hurtelbow during the win at the MCG. Australia have named an unchanged 12-mansquad for the second Test, resisting the urge to add Steven Smith as a secondspinner following Pakistan’s struggles against Nathan Hauritz in Melbourne.Clint McKay was retained in the group but is expected to be 12th man again,following a bowling performance Ponting described as the best from an AustralianTest team in a couple of years. It included Hauritz’s first five-wicket haulin first-class cricket, and though Ponting said a secondspinner would be an option for Sydney, the selectors decided against naming Smith.Smith was added at the MCG as cover for Hauritz, who had a groin injury inthe lead-up to the Test. Smith had enjoyed a net session with Shane Warne which Ponting was certain would help his development. “I know he would havegot a lot out of the session the other day,” Ponting said. “Any time anyyoung spinner can spend some quality time with Warney one on one is goingto be of great benefit to them.”Ponting will lead Australia as they aim to take the series 2-0 in Sydney,despite his injury troubling him through the Boxing Day Test. He said he was not in any doubt at all for the second Test.”I’ve had a bit of pain in both innings to tell you the truth,” Ponting said.”It probably flared up more than I was hoping it would halfway through myfirst innings but I declared myself fit to play and I’ve just got to putup with it and get on with it from there. That’s all I could do. I’ve continuedto have treatment through this game and will the next few days give myselfevery opportunity to recover as well as I can for the next Test.”Australia squad Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (capt),Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), MitchellJohnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay.