Ponting ruled out of third Test

Ponting injured his thumb in the ICC Champions Trophy

Australia captain Ricky Ponting will definitely miss the third Test against India because of the thumb injury suffered in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Ponting has already missed the opening two games of the series and is now also a doubt for the fourth Test.

"I'm disappointed not to be ready. The thumb is certainly healing, but there is no strength in it," he said.

Ponting broke his thumb while fielding at slip in the Champions Trophy semi-final against England.

He will visit a hand specialist this week in a bid to help him make the fourth Test in Mumbai, which starts on 3 November.

"The medical advice is that I would be a one-in-a-hundred chance of being right for the third Test on 26 October," added Ponting.

"Basically it just needs some more time to heal properly."

Australian team doctor Trefor James stated that Ponting's recovery was progressing well but that he was still not able to grip a bat.