AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting has opted to bypass a stint of county cricket with Somerset to conserve energy for this year's Ashes series.
Somerset had hoped Ponting, who played there for part of last season, would line up for the opening six weeks of the summer from April 20 before leading Australia in its one-day and Test series against England.
But Ponting, wanting to be as fresh as possible for what looms as an intriguing tour, has decided to take a two-month break after a long campaign which began with a one-day tournament in Amsterdam last August and ends in New Zealand later this month.
Australia arrives in England in early June.
"I don't think there has been much pressure put on Ricky by Cricket Australia, but unlike Shane Warne, . . . rejoining Hampshire, he has to contend with one-day cricket," Somerset coach Mark Garaway said.
"We are hoping he will return to play for us next year."
CA recently ordered fast bowler Brett Lee not to play county cricket to conserve energy for the three-month trip.
Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has taken Ponting's Somerset spot.