Ponting faces fitness battle for next series after wrist injury

The Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, is doubtful for the upcoming series against Bangladesh and the ICC Champions Trophy after undergoing wrist surgery in Melbourne. Ponting, who returned early from the West Indies tour, consulted a specialist in Melbourne yesterday and immediately had an operation to correct the injury, which he suffered in the third one-day international against the West Indies on 29 June.

Cricket Australia's medical officer Trefor James said the surgery was fairly minor, but a better idea of Ponting's fitness would not be known until a later date. "Ricky has sustained a tendon injury that requires repair of tissues that hold the tendon in place. This surgery was performed today," Dr James said. "Ponting's recovery will be monitored in the coming weeks and a decision regarding his fitness for the series against Bangladesh and then the Champions Trophy will be made in due course."

Ponting was the third Australia player to return home injured during the series in the Caribbean, with Brad Haddin (finger) coming back during the one-day series and Matthew Hayden (Achilles) returning before the Test series got under way. Ponting missed Australia recording their largest one-day victory over West Indies to claim a 5-0 sweep of their international series on Sunday. After reaching 341 for 8 in their innings, the tourists restricted their hosts to just 172 in 39.5 overs.

The 169-run margin eclipsed the previous highest of 134, recorded in Sydney in 2001. Mitchell Johnson (5 for 29) did the damage for Australia, ably supported by Andrew Symonds (2 for 23) and Michael Clarke (2 for 34), who contained the West Indies through the middle overs.

It was a bleak afternoon for the West Indies. Only Shawn Findlay, with 59 not out, provided meaningful resistance.