Ponting bracing up for sub-continental heat
February 6th, 2011 - 8:15 pm ICT by IANSSydney, Feb 6 (IANS) Australian captain Ricky Ponting is bracing up for the sub-continental heat during the cricket World Cup by locking himself up in a virtual hot box.Ponting, 36, hasn’t played for more than a month since he was ruled out of Sydney’s New Year Ashes Test against England with a broken little finger.
However, he has been working hard in the gymnasium, where he has trained alongside elite athletes, including World Cup Socceroo Mark Milligan and ironman Mark Simpson.
“He’s training hard; he just can’t face blokes bowling at 150km/h at the moment,” Jock Campbell, the former Australian team conditioner, quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald Sunday.
Ponting is practicing out locked in a hot box while wearing a beanie, hoodie and track pants.
“He has started batting against spinners but he’s really being pushed in endurance and speed sessions,” said Campbell, who has helped Ponting follow the rehabilitation programme set down by Cricket Australia.
Ponting’s toughest test at the Jock Athletic Studio opposite Cronulla Beach was Thursday.
With the outside temperature nudging 40 degrees, Campbell shut the windows, cranked the room temperature up to 42 degrees and pushed the batsman for 30 minutes.
“All the windows were shut and a few of the other people training at the time complained about the heat,” Campbell said.
“But, as I told them, the reason Ricky has done so well is because he does push himself. Even with his broken finger throbbing and swollen like a balloon, he didn’t complain once. It was a great effort. The great players defy the pain.
“Anyone who saw what Ricky has been put through in these heat sessions would have to admire his courage and toughness. He’s up there with Steve Waugh as one of the toughest athletes I’ve trained.
“However, it is a bit of a balancing act because we don’t want him to go to the World Cup overcooked or flat and tired.”
The World Cup starting Feb 19 will be Ponting’s fifth appearance in the mega-event. He has led the team to two victories in the previous two editions.
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- Injured Ponting, Haddin and Smith progressing well, says Oz team physiotherapist - Feb 08, 2011
- 'Medieval Knight' Ponting grunts his way to full fitness ahead of India tour - Sep 19, 2010
- Injured Ponting to miss Sydney Test, Clarke may take over - Dec 30, 2010
- Injured Ponting out of fifth Ashes Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Ponting set for World Cup return - Feb 08, 2011
- Ponting 'devastated' at having to sit out in Sydney Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Ponting starts preparation for World Cup - Feb 02, 2011
- Clarke to lead Australia in Sydney, Haddin vice-captain (Lead) - Dec 30, 2010
- Clarke to lead Australia in fifth Ashes Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Ponting 'devastated' over missing fifth Ashes Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Series win against England augurs well for World Cup: Ponting - Feb 10, 2011
- Ponting to undergo surgery on his fractured finger - Jan 03, 2011
- Roebuck urges Ponting to move to No.5 in batting order to prolong Test career - Dec 30, 2010
- CA divided over Ponting as captain after World Cup - Mar 22, 2011
Tags: ashes test, australian captain, balancing act, batsman, blokes, broken finger, captain ricky ponting, cricket australia, cricket world cup, elite athletes, hoodie, hot box, little finger, mark milligan, mark simpson, socceroo, speed sessions, steve waugh, sydney morning herald, track pants