Ponting optimistic of playing opening game

Twenty20 is the shortest form of the game, but the injured Ricky Ponting would have been more confident of getting through an ODI on Friday than the international against India. Ponting missed the nine-wicket win at the MCG with a lower back problem and joins Matthew Hayden (right thigh problem) on the doubtful list for the opening match of the CB Series at the Gabba on Sunday.

Australia will leave a decision on both players until shortly before the game with India, but Ponting has rated himself a greater than 90% chance of appearing. "I feel pretty good," he said. "I probably would have felt more comfortable playing a 50-over game [on Friday] than a Twenty20 just because of the unpredictability and the rigours and intensity of the game. It's something that was playing on my mind a little bit [on Friday]."

More treatment was planned for Ponting and Hayden in the lead-up to the match while Adam Voges was called as cover for the pair. Voges, the Western Australian batsman, surprised with two wickets with his slow left-armers in the Twenty20, but he will be relied on for run-making if he appears in his second ODI.

Ashley Noffke, the Queensland fast bowler, is also a late addition to the squad after Stuart Clark, who came in when Shaun Tait withdrew, stayed in Sydney for family reasons. Noffke's chances of making his debut appear to rest on both Hayden and Ponting missing the match.

Michael Clarke, the captain in the Twenty20, is back in the ranks, but is in line to take over from Adam Gilchrist as Ponting's deputy when he steps down in March. Ponting said Clarke was ready for the vice-captaincy. "There's no doubt about it," he said. "He's been around the set-up for a number of years and has a mature head on his shoulders. He led the team really well [in the Twenty20]. There could be a future leadership role for him down the track."