Elliott replaces Ponting

Elliott last played Test cricket in the West Indies in March 1999

Matthew Elliott is set to play his first Test for five years after being called into the Australian Test squad to replace skipper Ricky Ponting.

Elliott, who has been playing in Britain for Glamorgan, will join the squad for the Test against Sri Lanka starting in Darwin on Thursday.

Ponting is unavailable following the death of an aunt.

He will be replaced as skipper by Adam Gilchrist, who will be leading the team in a Test for the third time.

Ponting is, however, expected to return for next week's second Test in Cairns.

Elliott's return home on paternity leave proved doubly fortuitous and he could hardly believe his good fortune after being contacted by the selectors.

"I'm in a bit of a spin at the moment, but I'm just really excited to have this chance to be involved with the Australian team again.

"Even if it is for one match, it's something that I'm thrilled about, and I'm looking forward to whatever opportunity presents itself over the coming days."

It is obviously a difficult time for Ricky at this point, and our thoughts go out to him and his family Trevor Hohns

Elliott scored 1,171 runs in 20 Tests at an average of 35, including two centuries in the 1997 Ashes series in England.

He reminded the selectors of his ability during the last Australian domestic season when he topped the Pura Cup run scorers list with 1,381 at an average of 81 to help Victoria win the title.

The 32-year-old left-hander has maintained that form for Glamorgan with 736 runs in eight matches to help them to second place in Championship Division Two.

"In this one-off situation, we felt that Matthew was the right replacement," said chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.

"His form in the Pura Cup over the past few seasons has certainly turned heads."

Hohns said Gilchrist was the "logical replacement" as skipper, having done the job before against West Indies at Adelaide in December 2000 and England at Headingley the following August.

Batsman Darren Lehmann will act as vice-captain.

"He is a fine tactician and an experienced captain in his own right having led South Australia and Yorkshire in recent times," Hohns added.

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