Brad Hodge to replace Ponting

Brad Hodge will replace Ricky Ponting on Australia's cricket tour of India while the captain recovers from a broken thumb.

Cricket Australia said on Thursday that Hodge, an uncapped Victoria state batsman, had been added to the squad after Ponting was ordered home from England for possible surgery.

It was also announced that vice-captain Adam Gilchrist would skipper the side in Ponting's absence.

"We were looking at a specialist batsman to come into the squad for Ricky and given Brad's consistency and his skills against spin bowling, he was the clear choice," Australia's chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

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"He thoroughly deserves the opportunity and I'm sure he'll acquit himself well to the conditions if required."

Ponting will miss at least the first Test against India after fracturing his left thumb in the Champions Trophy, suffering the injury while fielding in the slips during Tuesday's semi-final defeat against England at Edgbaston.

But he hopes to be back for the remaining three Tests as Australia chase their first series win in India since 1969/70.

Australia start a three-day warm-up match in Mumbai next week before the first Test starts in Bangalore on October 6.