Ricky Ponting is in doubt for the Twenty20 World Championship due to "private family reasons", while Australia are also monitoring a hamstring problem for Shane Watson. The pair remained in Australia when the team flew to South Africa on Monday, and Stuart Clark also postponed his departure to care for his ill son.
Cricket Australia's CEO James Sutherland said Ponting's absence was due to a family issue that had arisen over the weekend. He said a decision on whether Ponting would join the group in time for their opening match of the tournament, against Zimbabwe next Wednesday, would be made in a few days.
"The situation is expected to be clearer later in the week, at which time Ponting's availability would be re-assessed," Sutherland said. "Any decision on whether or not a squad replacement is needed will be assessed at that time as well."
Adam Gilchrist will fill in as captain if required but he said Ponting would probably not miss any matches. "I've spoken to Punter, he's said that he's most likely at the moment going to join us in a few days time, but we'll just wait and see how things pan out in the next couple of days," Gilchrist told AAP. [/quote:813cd]
It looks like Ponting will be available for play in a few days, but still, I can see some of the other teams fancy their chances against Australia if he does remain at home.
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