Ponting avoids need for surgery

Ricky Ponting has avoided the need for surgery on his broken left thumb, and is hopeful of returning to action with Australia's Test team as soon as possible.

Ponting, who was due to lead Australia in their pursuit of a first series victory in India for 35 years, has already been ruled out of the first Test in Bangalore. He suffered the injury while dropping a slip catch during Australia's Champions Trophy defeat against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

He is unable to pick up a bat for two weeks, so there is still no guarantee that he will be match-fit in time for the second Test at Chennai, but the avoidance of an operation has boost his prospects. He was examined in Sydney on Saturday by a specialist, Dr Ian Hargreaves, who diagnosed a fracture to the distal phalanx of the left thumb.

"After discussion with Ricky, we have decided he should rest for the next few days," said Dr Trefor James, Cricket Australia's medical advisor. "We will organise a re-examination for later next week to check his progress and better assess when he might be able to grip a bat and field.

"Fortunately, the specialist has advised that the bones are sitting well and surgery will not be necessary, but it is difficult at this stage to assess how long will be needed before he can resume playing. While it is difficult to assess, it is highly unlikely he will be ready to play by the time of the first Test, which is due to start at Bangalore on October 6."

Ponting admitted he was "shattered" to have suffered the setback ahead of such a critical series for Australia. They have not won in India since Bill Lawry's 3-1 victory in 1969-70, and on the last tour in 2000-01, they lost a thrilling series 2-1, in spite of leading after a handsome victory in the first Test at Mumbai.

"We've been looking forward to the Indian tour for a long time, and for me personally, being captain of the side, I was pretty keen to get there and play well," said Ponting. "Knowing what the build-up will be like in India, it'll be huge over there ... everything was pointing to the direction of it being a huge series. It's just a real big blow for me and a big blow for the team. It's going to be a frustrating couple of weeks."