Ponting bans talk of Ashes win - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Ponting bans talk of Ashes win

14/12/2006 05:45:53 AM Comments (0)

Australia can regain the Ashes with victory over England in the third Test, which starts at the WACA Ground today.

To keep his team focused, Australian captain Ricky Ponting banned premature talk of winning back cricket's most prized trophy.

Allrounder Andrew Symonds will rekindle his Test career after getting the nod to replace the retired Damien Martyn, and will bat at No.6, behind the elevated Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke.

England, which needs at least a draw to keep the series alive, is yet to settle on its side, and must decide which spinner - Monty Panesar or Ashley Giles - will play.

An expected slow, spinning wicket will also favour Australia's Shane Warne, who needs six more wickets to become the first man to reach the 700 mark.

Fine weather is forecast for the first day of the third Test.

Sunny conditions and a top temperature of 29 degrees is forecast.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson (12th man).

England (from): Andrew Flintoff (capt), Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ed Joyce, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Geraint Jones, Chris Read, Sajid Mahmood, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett.

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