Ponting undergoes surgery on left foot

Australian one-day skipper Ricky Ponting will undergo surgery on his left foot in Melbourne on Monday 24 June.

Ponting's operation at The Avenue Hospital in Windsor will assist the healing of a stress fracture that caused him increased discomfort during the Super Challenge II against Pakistan, which the Aussies lost 1-2.

The surgery will see a pin inserted into Ponting's metatarsal bone to allow the fracture to heal. Team medical staff first noticed Ponting's foot problem during the 2001-02 VB Series. Since that time, the Tasmanian has received on-going treatment.

Ponting said that despite the surgery, he expected to be fit for Australia's next series against Pakistan.

"The soreness in my foot has been there for some time and I have been receiving constant treatment from the team's medical staff," he 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.

"We have a tough schedule ahead, and by getting the injury seen to now, I am confident that I will be fully fit as we approach the Pakistan series, the summer's Ashes series and the World Cup," he said.

Ponting will be placed on a graduated rehabilitation program overseen by Australian physiotherapist Errol Alcott. Leading Melbourne surgeon Mr David Young will carry out the surgery.

Ponting had earlier missed six months of international cricket in 2000 after successful surgery revealed more damage to his right ankle than anticipated.

Although Ponting had originally expected to be out of action only briefly, surgeon Martin Sullivan said that Ponting had done enormous damage to the ankle and would be sidelined for a lengthy period.

Ponting injured the ankle when sliding into the boundary fence at the Sydney Cricket Ground while fielding in a one-day match against Pakistan in the triangular series also involving India.

The dashing stroke maker missed the tour of New Zealand and a three-match one-day series in South Africa.

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