Ponting backs new boy Doherty

Brisbane - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has backed his uncapped Tasmanian team-mate Xavier Doherty to trouble England's batsmen and particularly Kevin Pietersen in this week's first Ashes cricket test.

The selection of the 28-year-old left-armer in place of Nathan Hauritz, Australia's preferred spinner of recent seasons, has been angrily debated in Australia since its first test squad was unveiled.

Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne has been particularly critical of the omission of Hauritz, saying the seasoned twirler had performed well enough in home tests to have earned "first crack at the Poms."

Ponting leapt to Doherty's defense Monday, saying he was impressed with his skill and temperament and believed Hauritz had "lost his action."