10 Aug 2009

Players must temper their emotions says Ponting

6:41 pm on 10 August 2009

The Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting says he must temper his players' excitement levels following their crushing Ashes fourth test win at Headingly in Leeds.

The holders levelled the series 1-all with their innings and 80-run win before the fifth and final Test at The Oval in London starting on Thursday week.

But Ponting says his side is jumping out of their skin to get the fifth test underway but they need to remember it's over a week away and they have a tour match against county Kent in the interim.

Having wrapped up the test inside three days the tourist now have a couple of days off, whereas for England, skipper Andrew Strauss says his batsmen need to do some soul searching.

Australia have a fully fit squad to choose from for next week's series decider.

Fast bowler Brett Lee's keen to push his case for selection, but faces an uphill battle following Australia's triumph at Leeds with a four-man pace attack.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz will come in for consideration at the Oval.

England have an injury concern in swing bowler James Anderson, the quick suffering from a tight hamstring during the match.