Hauritz assured of an Ashes birth, says Ponting | Thebigtip

By AAP from abc.net.au

Australia Test captain Ricky Ponting says spinner Nathan Hauritz is a "lock" for the upcoming Indian tour and the Ashes series.

Hauritz has taken 57 wickets at 31.82 in 15 matches and enjoyed a breakthrough summer in Australia against lowly West Indies and Pakistan in 2009/10.

However, the New South Wales off-spinner faces competition from exciting leg-spinner Steve Smith.

The 21-year-old Smith made his debut in the two-Test series against Pakistan in England in July, taking a combined 3 for 82 and hitting a sparkling 77 off 100 balls at Headingley.

Hauritz missed the Pakistan series with a foot injury but has resumed running ahead of October's two-Test series in Mohali and Bangalore.

"I've spoken a bit to Nathan over the last couple of weeks," Ponting said.

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