Ponting rests as Tigers chase final berth

Ricky Ponting will not play for Tasmania this season after deciding to rest as the Tigers chase the second final spot in the ING Cup against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. While most of his international teammates will figure in the final round of matches - Darren Lehmann and Jason Gillespie have signed on for the Redbacks - Ponting will take a break before the tour of New Zealand.

"While he would like to play for his home team, this weekend is the only opportunity he has of taking a well-earned break," Sam Halverson, Ponting's manager, said. David Johnston, the Tasmanian Cricket Association chief executive, said he was disappointed Ponting was unavailable.

Gillespie will play his first game for the Redbacks this summer and Lehmann his second as the pair replace Daniel Harris and Trent Kelly from the side that beat Western Australia last Friday. South Australia are fifth in the ING Cup and last in the Pura Cup after the young team's struggles throughout the season. Mark Cleary, the fast bowler, remains unavailable due to a back injury.

Tasmania have named an unchanged squad for a match they must win with more bonus points than Victoria to meet Queensland in the final on February 20.

Tasmania Daniel Marsh (capt), Michael Di Venuto, George Bailey, Michael Bevan, Travis Birt, Luke Butterworth, Michael Dighton, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Adam Griffith, Scott Kremerskothen, Damien Wright.

South Australia Darren Lehmann (capt), Graham Manou (wk), Nathan Adcock, Greg Blewett, Daniel Cullen, Callum Ferguson, Jason Gillespie, Ryan Harris, Mark Higgs, Paul Rofe, Shaun Tait, Shannon Tubb.