Ponting backs bowler for Twenty20 success

Veteran Australian bowler Brett Lee has been backed to play a major role in helping Australia win the World Twenty20 tournament by his captain.

The 33-year-old pace bowler has retired from Test cricket due to a consistent elbow problem that required surgery at the back end of 2009, but has played a few games in the Indian Premier League to get some match practice.

Lee was surprisingly named in Australia's 15-man for the World Twenty20 which takes place in the West Indies in May, but his inclusion has received the backing of captain Ricky Ponting, as the pair have played a vast amount of cricket together over the years.

Ponting claims the veteran's bowling has "looked good" during what he has seen of the IPL and the presence of Lee around the camp will be "really good" for Australia and their prospects.

"He hasn't played a lot of cricket for a few months but it's great to see him back on the park now," said the captain.

"It's a good sign to have someone of that class and calibre in the team going into a big tournament."

Australia could be entering the World Twenty20 high on confidence after they beat New Zealand 2-0 in the recent Test series between the two nations, and indeed the cricket odds make them favourites for the tournament.

Meanwhile, in football news, many people have decided to make Argentina their World Cup 2010 tips after Lionel Messi put in a masterful performance in last night's Champions League clash between Barcelona and Arsenal.