Ponting expected to bat after injury

Ricky Ponting is expected to recover in time to bat, after suffering an upper back injury on the second afternoon at Kandy. Ponting had left the field in the morning after complaining of severe pain and breathlessness.

"He has strained muscles in his upper back," said Alex Kontouri, Australia's physiotherapist. "It is a lot better now after quite a lot of treatment and we expect him to bat tomorrow. I would be more concerned if it was in the lower back - the upper back is easier to manage."

"We have been treating him every half an hour to keep his back moving and make sure it does not stiffen up. We will do the same in the night, give him some anti-inflammatory [tablets] and start treatment early tomorrow."

Australia are hopeful that he could come in at No. 5: "He has really improved and the plan is for him to bat next, but the key test for him will be how he wakes up tomorrow."