Seven Australian cricketers including Ponting on road to recovery

Melbourne: Seven Australian cricketers including former captain Ricky Ponting are making good progress following surgery in their attempts to get fit for Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Besides Ponting, off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, leggie Steven Smith, Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, back-up gloveman Tim Paine, and pacemen Clint McKay and John Hastings all suffered injuries and team physio Alex Kountouris feels they all are recovering quickly.

Hauritz missed the World Cup with a shoulder injury and Smith underwent a left ankle surgery to remove a bone spur. Ponting also had minor surgery to remove screws that were placed to stabilise his fractured left fifth finger in January.

"Hauritz's rehabilitation is progressing as expected and he will hopefully resume bowling over the next month. His availability for the Sri Lankan tour will be based on how he further progresses through this rehabilitation programme over the next month," Kontouris was quoted as saying by The Age.

"Ponting also had minor surgery to remove screws that were placed to stabilise his fractured left fifth finger in January. His preparation for the tour of Sri Lanka is not expected to be affected by this minor procedure."

Haddin and Paine are both expected to be available for selection despite finger fractures.

McKay has recovering from a left-foot stress fracture and has resumed light jogging.

"His return to cricket will be determined in the next four to six weeks," Kountouris said.

Hastings suffered a right-shoulder injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) but is expected to resume bowling and throwing next month.