Ponting in Australia team for Bangladesh tour

Thursday, 31 March 2011 01:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SYDNEY (AFP) - Ricky Ponting was Wednesday included in the Australian squad for their mini tour of Bangladesh next month where he will be taking orders from new captain Michael Clarke for the first time.

The 36-year-old quit as the country’s Test and one-day skipper on Tuesday after their exit from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

But the star batsman made clear he wanted to continue as a player and will be on the plane to Dhaka later this week for the three one-day internationals.

Clarke will be in charge of his first tour after being appointed as Ponting’s replacement on Wednesday, with Shane Watson his deputy.

The squad, though, is without David Hussey who has opted to stay at home with the birth of his first child imminent.

Xavier Doherty, meanwhile, returns from injury.

“Xavier Doherty has come into the squad for Jason Krezja,” said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

“Xavier was not considered for the ICC Cricket World Cup because of a nagging back injury. Jason bowled well in the World Cup, but now Xavier has recovered from injury he deserves to come back into the squad.” With Shaun Tait retiring from one-day cricket, fast bowler James Pattinson has been drafted into the squad and Hilditch is excited about his potential.

“James is a very exciting young fast bowler and we are confident he will have an impact in international cricket,” he said.

The team plays three one-day internationals, all in Dhaka, from April 9-13.

Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, John Hastings. Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Cameron White