Ponting set for foot surgery

Australia's one-day captain Ricky Ponting will enter hospital for foot surgery but is expected to be fit for the series against Pakistan, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said.

Ponting has a stress fracture in his left foot which troubled him during this month's home three-match limited-overs series against Pakistan, the ACB said.

The 27-year-old will have a pin inserted in his metatarsal bone.

"The soreness in my foot has been there for some time," Ponting said. "Although the injury hasn't hampered my mobility, I felt that with a break between series, the time is right to get the problem fixed properly.

"I am confident that I will be fully fit as we approach the Pakistan series, the summer's Ashes series and the World Cup."

Ponting's foot injury was first discovered during the 2001-02 triangular limited overs series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan in September and October, although the series may be moved because of security fears. Australia will also contest the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in September.

Ponting was married on Saturday to 23-year-old law student Rianna Cator at a lavish ceremony at Sydney Harbour, Australian newspapers reported.

Mail Cricket Editor