Ponting eyes fourth Test

Ricky Ponting will join the Test squad in India and is hopeful of being fit for the fourth Test after X-rays confirmed that his injured thumb is healing well.

Dr Trefor James, the medical adviser for Cricket Australia, said that Ponting's broken thumb, which he injured in the Champions Trophy, has shown significant improvement since an examination last week. "His grip is a lot stronger than what it was, and while he will fall a few days short of being right for the third Test, we are hopeful that he will be fit for the final Test of the series."

Ponting said he was encouraged by the latest diagnosis. "Obviously I'm not certain to play, but I have a lot more strength and movement in my hand, and I'm certainly hopeful to be right for Mumbai," he said. "I should be OK to start hitting balls by the end of this week, and will continue to work on it when I join the squad later this week."

Ponting said he was looking forward to rejoining the team in India as soon as possible. Australia are currently 1-0 up in the four-match series. The third Test will be played at Nagpur from October 26, while the fourth one Test starts at Mumbai on November 3.