AFP

MELBOURNE; Test captain Ricky Ponting today backed Nathan Hauritz as Australia’s No 1 spinner for the coming Indian tour and the home Ashes series against England.

The off-spinner, who has snared 57 wickets at 31.82 in 15 Tests, is returning to full fitness after a foot injury forced him home during Australia’s one-day series in England in June. Hauritz, 29, has resumed bowling in training ahead of October’s two-Test series against India.

Hauritz will face competition from legspinner Steve Smith. Smith, 21, made his debut in the two-Test series against Pakistan in England last month, taking a 3-82 and smashing 77 off 100 balls.

Ponting said Australia might consider playing Hauritz and Smith as a spin duo on the Adelaide and Sydney wickets in the Ashes series. “Steven came along really well in the two Tests that he played in the UK,” Ponting said. “We saw his ability with the bat and also his willingness to be aggressive with the ball. That’s not an easy thing to do for a young leg-spinner,” Ponting said.