Ponting’s career is not over yet: Nielsen

LONDON - Australia coach Tim Nielsen has said skipper Ricky Ponting’s Test career is not over after injury ended his Ashes series.

Ponting will miss the final Test in Sydney after X-rays showed his broken finger was worse than thought.

Nielsen said: “I wouldn’t have thought he has captained his last match for Australia. He is the first to admit he’s not had his best series, but he has been a tremendous leader for us and is still an integral part of our team.

“When he’s back playing again, I expect him to continue his leadership,” The Daily Star quoted him, as saying.

Ponting said his main goal now is to get fit for the 2011 World Cup in the Indian subcontinent.

But, with eight months until Australia’s next five-day series, there still remains doubt over his future.

However, Ponting insisted: “I’m not thinking about retirement at all. I’m devastated to tell you the truth. It was the news I was dreading.” (ANI)