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Melbourne: Australian captain Ricky Ponting Friday said he would be fit in time for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan starting here Saturday.
Ponting suffered a nasty hit on his elbow off Kemar Roach's bowling during the Perth Test against the West Indies.
On Christmas Day, he faced teammates Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger during a gruelling net session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and said that he has a 'strong chance' to play.
New South Wales' opener Phillip Hughes will stay with the team as standby until the match starts.
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz also benefitted from Friday's session, as Ponting said the signs were good he was recovering well from a groin problem and would play.
New South Wales legspinner Steven Smith, 20, will make his debut if Hauritz is ruled out.
Siddle has overcome hamstring soreness and will replace Victorian teammate Clint McKay.
Pakistan cricket team suffered a major blow after experienced leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was rendered doubtful for the first Test against Australia in Melbourne due to a fresh finger injury.
Kaneria, who had undergone an operation on the finger of his bowling hand few months back, got struck on the same finger during the team's training session on Thursday.
"He got hit on the same finger which was operated upon some time ago. He is feeling great pain and is unable to move his bowling hand freely," Pakistan team manager, Abdul Raquib said.
Raquib said Kaneria would have further examination by a specialist tomorrow who would decide if he can play the first Test from Saturday.
Kaneria was Pakistan's top bowler alongside Muhammad Asif in the recently concluded Test series in New Zealand taking 13 wickets in two matches and helping Pakistan win the second Test in Wellington.
Team news
Australia: All the talk in the lead-up to the Test has surrounded Ricky Ponting's fitness after suffering elbow tendon damage in the third Test against West Indies. A long-standing groin problem for Nathan Hauritz has opened the doors for young legspinner Steve Smith.
Squad (likely): Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz/Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger.
Pakistan: They have no such injury concerns though a niggle to the fourth finger on Danish Kaneria's spinning hand is being looked at.
Squad (likely): Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria/Saeed Ajmal
Pitch and conditions
The drop-in MCG pitches have generally provided a slowish surface in recent years and the runs haven't always flowed as easily as at other venues. The forecast for the five days is mostly good, with temperatures expected to rise as the game goes on.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
December 26-30, 2009
Start time 10:30 local (23:30 GMT prev day)
