Ponting retires hurt after Roach blow

Australia may be without Ricky Ponting for the rest of the third Test against the West Indies. The skipper was struck on the arm by a delivery from Kemar Roach and forced to retire hurt on Day 1 of the Test in Perth.

At close of play, the hosts were 339 for 3, with Michael Hussey unbeaten on 81 and Marcus North on 23.

Ponting played through pain before retiring on 23 off 25 deliveries, which included two fours and a six off the bowling of Roach.

After Australia completely dominated the morning session reaching 106 without loss, the decision to bowl Roach from the Lillee-Marsh end ignited the match.

First the Barbadian bowler dismissed Shane Watson for 89, after having him dropped on seven in the fifth over of the day.

With his second ball, to Ponting, Roach produced the perfect short ball, crashing into Ponting's left arm just above the elbow immediately requiring Australian physio Alex Kountouris to provide treatment.

Ponting was also involved in a heated exchange with Dwayne Bravo which needed umpire Ian Gould to intervene.