Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris revealed that Ponting had a repeat X-ray after the fourth Test that showed evidence that the fracture of his fifth finger had moved during the course of the Melbourne Test.

BBC: Ashes: Aussie captain Ricky Ponting out of Sydney Test

All-rounder Tim Bresnan returns after missing the second Test win over Bangladesh because of a stress fracture in his left foot, but there is no place for Yorkshire team-mate Ajmal Shahzad, who made his five-day debut at Old Trafford last week, or batsman Ravi Bopara.

BBC: Craig Kieswetter keeps England one-day spot