Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Monday he was convinced that he should be able to play the World Cup this month, despite a finger injury.
Ponting, who missed the final Ashes test and all seven games of one-day series against England after a broken finger surgery recently, said the injury is improving rapidly.
"It's much better now than it was last week," Ponting said at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne. "I'm back in the nets this week, had three hits good, a bit of time there, so in reality is probably a little more advanced than I thought it would."
Australia go into the World Cup played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in search of a fourth consecutive title. Ponting said he had been frustrating one month away, but think how the team had done in his absence, thrashing England 6-1 in their ODI series, showed that they were ready to defend their crown.
"I'm really proud of how the boys have played in recent weeks, led Michael (Clark) and Cameron has a good (white) led the side very well in Perth, and we started to get some guys back in top form at the right time, "he said.
"We still have some injury concerns, but hopefully the middle of this month and the beginning of March we will be on track to win the World Cup."
Ponting said it was difficult to play on the subcontinent, but the Australian team which leaves on Wednesday, they have players who appeared in these conditions. "We're going there with a balanced team as far as youth and experience is concerned, and gamers who have had some success in the past," he said. The tournament begins February 19.
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