Ponting out of fifth Test for Australia

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting will miss the fifth Ashes Test against England because of continuing problems with a broken finger.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke will lead Australia in the Sydney Test starting on Monday. The Australia squad for the final Test of the series will be named later on Thursday.

Ponting was ruled out of playing after further x-rays on his broken little finger on his left hand “showed evidence that the fracture . . . has moved during the course of the Melbourne test,” Australia’s team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said on Thursday in a statement.

England retained the Ashes with an innings win in Melbourne and leads the series 2—1.

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