SYDNEY, Sept 30: Australian captain Ricky Ponting's thumb injury has forced him out of the opening two cricket Tests against India starting next week, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday.

Ponting arrived home last week for treatment for his left thumb, fractured while he was fielding during Australia's six-wicket loss to England in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal at Edgbaston.

CA said Ponting would now also miss the second Test at Chennai following a review of his fractured thumb by a hand specialist here on Thursday. CA medical officer Trefor James said Ponting was making good progress but required further examination and would not be fit to play in the first two Tests of the four-match series.

"The bone seems to be repairing well and there has been no change in the status of the injury," James said in a statement. "Ponting will visit the specialist again on Oct 14, and with the injury progressing at its current rate, we expect he'll be available for the third Test in Nagpur."

The news comes as a further blow to Australia's ambitions of winning their first Test series in India in 35 years. "Missing one Test is disappointing enough, so I'm obviously shattered that I won't be part of the series until at least the halfway mark, but it's an outcome I was prepared for," Ponting said Thursday.

"Because of the delicate nature of the injury, there's not a lot I can do until the bone is fully repaired. "I'll be watching closely from home and wish all the boys the best of luck for the first two matches and I look forward to rejoining the squad ahead of the third Test." -AFP