Ponting closer to knowing first XI

Ricky Ponting has almost finalised his preferred line-up and the decision means Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson could have only limited opportunities during the World Cup. Ponting did not expect many changes for Australia's group game against The Netherlands in St Kitts on Sunday after their cruise past Scotland in the opening match.

"I made it pretty clear coming here that I didn't want to be mixing and matching too much through the tournament," Ponting said in the Sunday Mail. "At the moment we are pretty close to knowing what our best XI players are. If we can keep those guys fit through the early part of this tour, then I don't think there will be a lot of changes made at all."

Andrew Symonds seems to be the only player who can re-enter the squad easily and his arm injury continues to improve. Symonds has had his first serious bowl in the nets, but the physiotherapist Alex Kountouris is reluctant for him to play against The Netherlands.

Clark and Johnson missed the opening match when Ponting preferred a bowling line-up of Glenn McGrath, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson and Brad Hogg. Ponting is now unlikely to toy with the order. "Unless someone does get injured or there is sudden loss of form from one of the guys in the side," Ponting said, "then there won't be a lot of changes made."