Ponting illness still a mystery

ST JOHN’S: Doubts still surrounded the flu-like infection that struck down Australia vice-captain Ricky Ponting and forced him to miss the fourth and final Test against West Indies at the close of the first day’s play on Friday.

Team physio Errol Alcott said Ponting, who made a century in each of the first three Tests against West Indies, had visited local doctors and been put on antibiotics, but that the illness had not been identified. “We’re not quite sure what Ricky has got,” Alcott told reporters. “He’s had headaches, fever, joint aches, sweating and he’s lost his appetite. I think we’ll have to call it a flu-like medical condition. “He probably picked up a bug somewhere in Barbados.” Alcott added that Ponting’s temperature had dropped in the last 24 hours and that he was showing signs of improvement. Ponting had spent five days in bed suffering from flu-like symptoms and his place in the team was taken by Martin Love, who makes his third Test appearance and his first of the series. Australia, 3-0 up and attempting to hand West Indies their first series whitewash at home, were bowled out for 240 in their first innings on Friday.