Ponting to join Australia squad after wife health scare

MELBOURNE, Sep 7 (Reuters) Australia captain Ricky Ponting is to join his team mates in South Africa for the Twenty20 World Cup next week after his wife recovered from a health scare.

The skipper's participation in the inaugural International Cricket Council (ICC) event was in doubt after he stayed behind in Australia while the party left for the tournament on Monday.

He told reporters in Sydney today that his decision had been due to his wife's health, which was now improving, and he would travel to South Africa in time for the ICC's annual awards dinner in Johannesburg on Monday.

''Fortunately Rianna's health has improved over the last few days and I'm hoping travel plans can be finalised as soon as possible,'' said Ponting, who has been nominated in four categories for the ICC awards.

''I'm grateful for the support we've both had from Cricket Australia and my team mates. It made things easier here knowing the team was in such good hands.'' The one-day world champions make their tournament bow against Zimbabwe in Cape Town on Wednesday.

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