Ricky Ponting, who is all set to lead Australia against Sri Lanka in the absence of regular skipper Michael Clarke, insisted that he is stepping in only as a caretaker.

"I want to make it very clear this is Michael Clarke's team that I'm just stepping up to look after for a couple of days," said Ponting.

"Everyone knows my appointment's been made for hopefully only Friday. Hopefully Michael comes up for Sunday's game (in Brisbane), so really this is just about taking over Michael's team and leading the team well and hopefully getting the result the team's after," he added.

Although excited about leading the team again, Ponting insisted: "Hopefully it's only for a very short period of time."

Ponting also admitted that he thought long and hard before taking the job back given Warner had been appointed vice-captain of the team.

"I did have a think about it and I had a good chat to (chairman of selectors) John Inverarity about that and what some of my concerns were around that.

"But I decided to do what they wanted me to do and what I felt was probably right for the team right at the moment," Ponting told Australian Associated Press.

"We've got a few of our experienced guys out on the sidelines at the moment, and I know Dave Warner had been named vice-captain at the start of the one-day series and the selectors made it very clear why they haven't given him the captaincy for this game," he added.

Warner injury not serious

Meanwhile, the Australian team shot down reports of David Warner suffering a serious injury at training with the physio clarifying that he had suffered a bruise from a ball while training but is fine to play.

Ponting said he was keen to mentor 25-year-old Warner, who is still finding his way on the international stage.

"That's a big part of what I've got to do this week.

"When I was captain I asked the opinions of the players out on the field at different times in the game and for Friday's game it'll be Davey that I'll be going to a lot to let him know what my ideas are and what we're trying to achieve and also try to get some ideas out of him as to where he sees the game at any particular time," said Ponting.

Ponting said that he has also been in touch with Clarke despite his absence with a hamstring strain.

"I've been chasing little things he might want to gain out of this week, things like who he wants to field in the slips and who he wants to bowl at certain times," revealed Ponting.

"It's not about me coming in and taking over the ship, it's about me doing what Michael wants this team to do and achieve."