Ricky Ponting to miss VB Series match against India in Perth

Cricket Australia today announced that Australian captain Ricky Ponting will not take part in Australia's VB Series match in Perth on Sunday 1 February.

Ponting will instead remain in his home city of Wollongong, before rejoining the squad in the lead-up to the first VB Series final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday 6 February.

Adam Gilchrist, who returns to the squad following a short break will captain the side in Ponting's absence, while a replacement for the Tasmanian in the 13-man squad will be announced in due course.

The decision to leave Ponting out of the Perth fixture was made by National Selection Panel Chairman Trevor Hohns in conjunction with Australian Team Management and Cricket Australia General Manager of Cricket Operations, Michael Brown.

Trevor Hohns said: "Just as Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist have benefited from a short layoff during this VB Series, we felt that a break would help Ricky in the lead-up to the series finals and upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

"Adam Gilchrist is a proven leader and is the right man to captain the side in Ricky's absence," he said.