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Ponting in India to conduct clinics

Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, who is on a brief visit to India to conduct coaching clinics for budding under-19 cricketers, on Tuesday expressed hope of regaining his place in Australia's one-day team for the three-match series against South Africa, to be played indoors in Melbourne next month.

Speaking at a press meet, organised by cricketnext.com, he said he is working hard on his fitness now that he has recovered from the ankle injury which has kept him out of action for over six months, during which he missed six one-dayers and three Tests.

Ponting's first clinic will be in Bombay on July 5, followed by Bangalore (July 7) and Delhi (July 9).

Terming the match-fixing controversy "sad", he said the Australian Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council are looking into the matter and doing their best to root out the malaise.

"The sooner it is cleaned up the better," he said.

To a question wether too many one-dayer matches are being played, he said, "May be."

He pointed out that Australia were never involved in match-fixing. "All the games in which we (Australia) have participated in were clean," he said.

Asked whether he was ever approached by a bookie, Ponting said: "Yes, I was approached three years ago and told the authorities about it."

He, however, refused to elaborate where or during which match the approach was made.

Agencies