Ponting back for Australia after serving drink ban

Ponting, who returns after serving a three-match ban imposed by the Australian Cricket Board after an early morning brawl in a Sydney bar last week, said he was thankful to be back in the team.

``It was three games, but it seemed like a lot longer,'' Ponting said. ``It's been hard sitting back and watching it on television.''

Ponting said he had wondered if he would get back in the team immediately, given that Australia had won its last two matches.

``It's been a long week,'' he said. ``Hopefully I can get out there on Sunday and get some runs and people will start loving me for that rather than hating me for the other thing.''

Batsmen Stuart Law and Greg Blewett were omitted from the 12-man squad, while captain Steve Waugh was also missing with a hamstring injury.

Australia's next match is against Sri Lanka in Perth on Sunday.

The selectors may add a 13th player to the squad for the remaining two preliminary matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia head the tri-series standings with eight points from four games, ahead of England on run rate.

Sri Lanka have four points but have a game in hand on both teams.

The next match is between England and Sri Lanka in Perth on Friday.

Australia: Shane Warne (captain), Mark Waugh, Michael Bevan, Adam Dale, Brendon Julian, Michael Kasprowicz, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Lee, Darren Lehmann, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn, Ricky Ponting.