Basseterre: Skipper Ricky Ponting will make an early exit from Australia's tour of the Caribbean on Friday after being ruled out of the last two One-day Internationals against West Indies with a wrist injury.

"Ricky has a tendon injury in his right wrist and he will be flying home to see a specialist in Melbourne," Cricket Australia (CA) physiotherapist Justin Steer said.

"Given his unavailability for the last match of the series we see this as a good opportunity to have him see the specialist at his earliest convenience."

Ponting sustained the injury while batting in the third ODI in Grenada last Sunday and missed Friday's fourth ODI at Warner Park.

He was unlikely to be available to play in Sunday's final ODI, and the decision, therefore, was made for him to return as soon as possible.

Michael Clarke was handed the captain's role for the first time for Australia in an ODI and he should again lead the side on Sunday.

Australia have an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, after winning the opening match by 84 runs in St. Vincent, the rain-affected second ODI last Friday by 63 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis Method, and the third ODI last Sunday by seven wickets.

AFP

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