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International Cricket

Australian captain Ricky Ponting is taking cortisones to keep his injured right wrist in shape for the crucial Delhi Test.

Ponting, who had surgery on his right wrist earlier this year, is receiving almost daily treatment from team physio Alexander Kountouris.

"It hasn't been great for the whole trip but I've got what I've got. I'm having treatment almost daily and I had another cortisone injection on the fourth night of the last Test," he said.

"It's almost a week since then so it was expected to settle down quite a bit but I've still got a bit of discomfort. I'm trying things all the time. I didn't bat with painkillers on Sunday but have to during most sessions," he was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

Ponting also feels that there was nothing wrong in his batting in the series.

"After a few days off I feel really good about my batting. It's as well as I've moved and as well as I've hit the ball for a long time.

"It (the injury) is affecting me a little bit but people watching me bat wouldn't notice anything. It's not hindering strokeplay, it's just annoying," he added.

The skipper's major concern is fast bowler Stuart Clark, whose selection for tomorrow's match is still not certain after missing the second Test with an elbow injury.

Ponting is confident Clark will be fit but the Australian team management will wait and see how he shapes up after three days of training.

"We expect him to be available for selection but he will be reassessed in the morning," Kountouris said.