Ponting mulling over bowling options

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has a lot to ponder over the bowling options that he has for the must-win fourth cricket Test.

He will have to decide whether to pick the spin pairing of Cameron White and rookie Jason Krejza or bring Krejza in alongside pacemen Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson. Australia has been unable to dismiss India twice in any match over the past month, which has hindered its chances of victory.

"We've got to look at our overall balance," Ponting said. "If we're going to get Krejza into the side, does he come in for White or one of our quicks? It's the big decision we've got to make."

Australia's preparations for the come-from-behind victory it needed to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy have been disrupted with Brett Lee, Michael Clarke and Doug Bollinger missing training because of stomach problems on Tuesday. All were expected to be available for selection.

The Test will be the first one to be held at the Vidarbha Cricket Association's new stadium - the ground only received final approval as an international venue on Tuesday when it was inspected by match referee Chris Broad.

"I went down and had a look at the wicket yesterday. It's rock hard like concrete and there's no grass on it," Ponting said. "With no history to the wicket, we don't know if it's going to bounce, or stay low, or what it's going to do. One thing I know is that it is going to spin, it's so bare. Hopefully we win the toss."

The hosts, who lead the series 1-0 after battling to save a draw in the first Test and producing an emphatic 320-run win in the second, also have a new captain in Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the retirement of legspinner Anil Kumble on Sunday.

Batsman VVS Laxman is playing his 100th Test and ex-skipper Sourav Ganguly will join Kumble in retirement after the game.