Cricket: Ponting gets day of rest after series win

SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting has little time to reflect on his extraordinary achievements in his side's comprehensive 2-0 Test series win over South Africa.

Ponting became the first player to score a hundred in each innings of his 100th Test, confirming his status as the world No.1-ranked batsman and completing a seven-Test summer in Australia that yielded 944 runs at 85.8.

The first Twenty20 international to be played in Australia is on Monday night at the Gabba with Ponting leading his side against South Africa.

The triangular one-day series that includes Sri Lanka and South Africa kicks off on Friday at Melbourne's Telstra Dome where Australia plays Sri Lanka.

Australia will rest vice-captain Adam Gilchrist and pacemen Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath from Monday's match at the Gabba, leaving the weary Ponting to soldier on.

The Aussies train at the Gabba nets today, but without the skipper.

"Gilly is sitting that game out so obviously someone has to captain the side," Ponting said.

"Look I'm happy to play. It's only a few hours and I'm actually travelling up there a little bit later than the other guys as well, just to have another day at home.

"That's the allowance I've been given. I probably will have a rest at some stage through the (triangular one-day) series.

"I've started looking at different times through there which might be appropriate for me to have a game off."

South Africa meanwhile is licking its wounds after a hard-fought three-Test series.

Captain Graeme Smith said he was confident his side would improve when it hosts Australia in February-March for a three-Test series.

Smith's bowling attack needs to lift and the tourists are struggling for answers at the moment with No.1 strike bowler Makhaya Ntini sent home with a knee injury and in-form paceman Andre Nel restricted to seven overs yesterday with a foot complaint.

South Africa is also dealing with debutant off-spinner Johan Botha's report for a suspect bowling action after the 23-year-old was named yesterday by ICC match referee Chris Broad.

- AAP