Ponting, Hayden and Lee to miss VB Series match at Adelaide Oval

Australian one-day international captain Ricky Ponting, opening batsman Matthew Hayden and fast-bowler Brett Lee will not play in this Sunday's VB Series match against England at the Adelaide Oval (19 January), the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced today.

Chairman of the National Selection Panel Trevor Hohns said the trio will be given the opportunity to refresh ahead of the VB Series finals after a busy five-month period.

"All three players have had very little time off since September when the side travelled to Kenya," Hohns said.

"That's a lot of cricket, so this is an opportunity for them to "freshen up" both physically and mentally ahead of the VB Series finals and World Cup.

"As selectors we are conscious of the players' heavy workload, particularly those that were part of the Test squad, so this in an opportunity for Ricky, Matthew and Brett to have some "time out".

"We undertook a similar strategy with Adam Gilchrist in yesterday's match against Sri Lanka in Brisbane," he said.

Ponting's absence means Gilchrist is expected to captain the side in Sunday's match.

Meanwhile all-rounder Andrew Symonds will travel to Adelaide separately from the remainder of the squad to play for the Queensland Bulls in its ING Cup match against the Southern Redbacks on Friday (17 January).

Trevor Hohns said: "Given that Andrew has carried out twelfth man duties in Australia's last two VB Series matches, we felt it was important not to deprive him of match practice.

"He will have the chance to get another limited-overs match under his belt before linking up with the Australian squad on Saturday," he said.

Fast bowlers Brad Williams and Nathan Bracken, both drafted in as cover for Glenn McGrath and Andrew Bichel prior to Australia's match against Sri Lanka on 15 January, will remain with the squad.

All four quicks will travel to Adelaide after diagnostic scans revealed no further damage to the injury Bichel sustained to his right shoulder against England at Bellerive Oval.

He is expected to take part in full training ahead of Sunday's match, with his condition to be monitored by Australian team physiotherapist, Errol Alcott.