Ponting to captain Australians against Somerset

Ricky Ponting is to lead the Australians for the first time in a first-class match tomorrow when they take on Somerset at Taunton in the Vodaphone Challenge Series.

Ponting is given the opportunity because the tourists have decided to rest captain Steve Waugh, vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, former vice-captain Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath for the four-day game.

The 26-year-old Tasmanian was delighted to be leading the side. "It's a bit of a buzz," he told the BBC. "I haven't thought too much about it yet, actually. I only found out the other night - it'll be good, exciting."

Like most of his colleagues, Ponting is enjoying a successful tour, despite only getting 11 in his one innings in the First Test victory at Edgbaston.

Overall he has hit 242 runs in five first-class innings so far at an average of 48.4 and - typical of the man - those runs have come at more than a run a ball.

Ponting once stood as captain in a one-day game when Australia toured India but this is the first time he's led the side in a first-class game.

Pakistan stars Shoaib Akhtar and Aamir Sohail will appear as guest players for Somerset tomorrow.

But the West Country side will be without their Australian captain Jamie Cox and their centrally contracted players Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick. Also being rested are bowlers Richard Johnson and Steffan Jones.

Twenty-year-old batsman Matthew Wood, who has looked so impressive in his two Championship matches this season, will make his home debut.

Last season Somerset beat the West Indies, and go into the match full of confidence after earning a quarter-final tie against Kent in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Earlier today Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me: "On the back of our wonderful win against Glamorgan yesterday we are looking forward to the four-day match against the Australians tomorrow. We are putting a good side out, which will include the two Pakistan Test players, and we will be looking to compete because there is prizemoney at stake."

Regarding the Australian side, he said: "Whatever team they put out it will be strong; after all they are the World Champions. It is likely that Brett Lee will be playing so people coming to the match have the chance to see the two fastest bowlers on the planet appearing in the same match at the County Ground."

All the final preparations have been made for the big game and "the pitch is very good", said the Chief Executive.

Extra seats are already in place for the predicted crowd of at least 5,000 for each of the four days, and the advice from the club is to arrive early.

Somerset: Peter Bowler, Piran Holloway, Aamir Sohail, Mike Burns (captain), Matthew Wood, Rob Turner, Ian Blackwell, Keith Parsons, Jamie Grove, Shoaib Akhtar, Jason Kerr.

Australians: To be announced.