Sydney, Feb 7: The Australian selectors in a surprise move have recalled Ricky Ponting for the February 8 ODI at the SCG against New Zealand, despite giving him a two-game break after the opening loss in Perth last weekend.

Ponting's mid-season holiday has been cut short in an effort to end Australia's horrible one-day campaign, which threatens to include a Chappell-Hadlee Series loss to an under-strength New Zealand.

Sydney, Feb 7 : The Australian selectors in a surprise move have recalled Ricky Ponting for the February 8 ODI at the SCG against New Zealand, despite giving him a two-game break after the opening loss in Perth last weekend.

Ponting's mid-season holiday has been cut short in an effort to end Australia's horrible one-day campaign, which threatens to include a Chappell-Hadlee Series loss to an under-strength New Zealand.

The Kiwis, given little hope of beating Australia, hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series, FOX Sports reported.

Melbourne, Feb. 4 : Australia's Test selectors should make a quick decision on who will replace Matthew Hayden as opener, said captain Ricky Ponting on Tuesday.

The Australian squad for the three-Test tour of South Africa will be named on Thursday, with boom youngster Phillip Hughes and Phil Jaques the leading contenders to fill the opening vacancy and partner Simon Katich.

Sydney, Feb. 4: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is convinced that troubled all rounder Andrew Symonds will make a comeback to international cricket sooner than later.

The Courier-Mail quoted Ponting as saying on Tuesday on the sidelines of a ceremony to give away the Allan Border Medal for
2008-09 that he was a strong supporter of Symonds and the value he brought to the Australian team.

Melbourne, Feb. 4: Australian captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke, were last night anointed joint winners of the Allan Border Medal in the first tie of the award''s 10-year history.

While the two upstaged favourite Mitchell Johnson, it was the crowning of young batting prodigy Phillip Hughes as the young player of the year that was arguably of more significance given his potential importance to the future of Australian cricket as it confronts a difficult period of generational change.