Ponting drops out of Darwin Test

Shane Warne unwinds in the nets ahead of Thursday's first Test © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting has dropped out of the first Test against Sri Lanka, which gets underway at Darwin on July 1. Ponting had flown to Launceston to join his ailing aunt and his grandfather, and his aunt's death ensures that he will not make it back to Darwin in time.

Cricket Australia has confirmed that Ponting will stay in Tasmania to be with his family for the funeral. Adam Gilchrist will captain the side in Ponting's absence, and Darren Lehmann will be the vice-captain.

Trevor Hohns, Australia's chief selector, said: "It is obviously a difficult time for Ricky at this point, and our thoughts go out to him and his family. We feel that Adam Gilchrist is the logical replacement for Ricky. He has done the job before and as vice-captain works closely with Ricky during the course of a match.

"With regards to Darren Lehmann," Hohns continued, "he is already a leader amongst this group and will provide Adam Gilchrist with excellent back-up. He is a fine tactician and an experienced captain in his own right having led South Australia and Yorkshire in recent times."

Gilchrist has captained Australia in two Tests before this, winning one (against West Indies at Adelaide in December 2000), and losing the other (v England, Headingley, August 2001). Out of the six one-day internationals that Australia has played under Gilchrist, they have lost only one.