SYDNEY // Ricky Ponting is to have surgery on his injured finger today in a bid to be fit for the World Cup next month and to prolong his Test career.
A Cricket Australia spokesman said yesterday that the Australia captain, who is missing the ongoing fifth Ashes Test against England in Sydney, would have an operation on the little finger of his left hand because it was "just decided that surgery is the best option for his recovery".
Ponting hurt the finger attempting a slips catch in Australia's win over England in the third Ashes Test in Perth last month.
He played in the fourth Test in Melbourne, but did not bat with comfort and was ruled out of the fifth and final match.
Ponting, 36, wants to continue playing Test cricket for as long as possible, but his immediate aim is to be fit to lead Australia's bid for a fourth consecutive World Cup title in the 50-over format.
The tournament will be hosted in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starting on February 19.
"I want to keep playing, I've made that pretty clear not only this week but right through the summer," Ponting said after being ruled out of the Sydney Test and the limited-overs series against England.
"I think I've got a lot to offer as a player and as the captain of the Australian team and I want to continue to do that.
"But with a World Cup around the corner I want to be the best player and leader I can through that tournament.
"And I want to play Test cricket post-World Cup as well, so that's what's in the future for me."
Michael Clarke is leading the Australia team in the absence of Ponting, who is expected to be fit for Australia's World Cup warm-up matches against India on February 13 and South Africa on February 15 in Bangalore, India.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
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Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The Matrix Resurrections
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Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
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West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
SPECS
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
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'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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SPECS
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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