Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Melbourne for Wednesday, November 3 and Start time 14.20 local (03.20 GMT) and RICKY Ponting will miss

The Big Picture:

Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz and an out-of-form and under-pressure Michael Hussey are back in the squad, which features the majority of the men likely to take the field in the Gabba Test, although Ponting and Hauritz won't play in this one-day series opener.

The other question is whether anybody will turn up to the match. Many Victorians have already taken an extra long weekend due to Tuesday's public holiday for the iconic Melbourne Cup horse race, and asking the public to back up immediately and attend another day of elite sport is ambitious.

Watch out for:

On Sunday, Peter Siddle played his first international match since January. It was a promising comeback for Siddle, who had sat out for nearly nine months due to stress fractures in his back. His recovery was geared towards making him available for the Ashes but to break back in to the side he needs to perform at every opportunity. If he plays on Wednesday, it will be his first one-day international at his home ground, the MCG

Team news:

Ponting will be in Launceston on Wednesday for the funeral of his grandmother, so Michael Clarke will remain in charge after leading Australia to defeat in Sunday's Twenty20 at the WACA. On Tuesday, Nathan Hauritz had not yet joined the squad following his Sheffield Shield performance over the past couple of days, so the Tasmanian spinner Xavier Doherty is in line to make his international debut.

The plenty of bowling options, with Johnson, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and John Hastings all in the squad. Brad Haddin will play his first ODI since March and could be back near the top of the order.

Pitch and conditions:

Australia's training session on Tuesday was interrupted by rain and isolated showers are forecast for Wednesday. The drop-in pitches at the MCG can be a little on the slow side, so don't expect the pace and bounce seen at the WACA on Sunday.

Australia (possible) 

1 Shane Watson 

2 Shaun Marsh 

3 Brad Haddin (wk) 

4 Michael Clarke (capt) 

5 Cameron White 

6 Michael Hussey 

7 Steven Smith 

8 Mitchell Johnson 

9 John Hastings 

10 Xavier Doherty 

11 Peter Siddle

Australia's pace production line has rarely seen a more brutal injury toll than over the past 18 months, with up to 10 bowlers on the sidelines.

Australia quicks on the mend in time for Ashes campaign after injury-plagued year

ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

PETER SIDDLE

Only recently returned to action after suffering stress fractures in his back in January. His first official comeback game was for Victoria in the Champions League last month. Has had to remodel his bowling action. Ashes prospects: Will depend on how he bowls for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.

BEN HILFENHAUS

Was sidelined for most of the last Australian summer with knee tendinitis and returned in Australia's neutral Test series against Pakistan in England in July. Ashes prospects: Bright.

MITCHELL JOHNSON

Missed the one-day series against England in the UK in June with an elbow infection, suspected to be related to a tattoo he got before the World Twenty20 Cup in the Caribbean. Ashes prospects: Lock him in.

RYAN HARRIS

Stormed into Test and one-day international cricket this year but was forced home from England needing knee surgery. Is set to make a comeback early next month after having revolutionary fluid injections. Ashes prospects: Outside chance for first two Tests but a chance later in series

SHAUN TAIT

Burst back into the Aussie one-day line-up in England in June but currently out of cricket for at least two months with his chronic elbow injury.

Ashes prospects: None

DOUG BOLLINGER

Missed the second Test in India recently with an abdominal strain and will miss a Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. Ashes prospects: Solid

BRETT LEE

Finally on the comeback trail after ages out of cricket with an elbow problem.

Retired from Test cricket but trying to force his way into Aussie side for next year's ODI World Cup. Ashes prospects:

Less than zero.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD

Impressive young NSW quick struggling with possible back stress fracture. Ashes prospects: Slim.

PETER GEORGE:

Fast bower to watch out for after making his Test debut in India when others were injured.

Ashes prospects: Marginal.

JAMES PATTINSON

Victoria bowler who was a bench warmer in Australia's tour of India until sent home with back stress fractures.

Ashes prospects: Next to none.

BEN CUTTING

Boom young Queensland quick who was forced under the knife for ankle surgery this winter. Making a slow but steady return. Ashes prospects: Will play for Australia but almost certainly not this summer.