Ponting set for World Cup return

SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting is confident that he will be fit to play in the upcoming World Cup, saying that he could play now if he had to.

Ponting, who missed the final Ashes Test and the entire ODI series against England due to a broken finger, said that the injury was improving fast.

“It’s a lot better now than it was last week, I’ve been back in the nets this week, I’ve had three good hits, a bit of time out there, so it’s actually probably a bit further advanced than I thought it would be,” Fox Sports quoted Ponting, as saying.

When asked if he could play if an important match was scheduled, the 36-year-old said: “Yes.”

Australia’s first game of the tournament is against Zimbabwe on February 21. (ANI)