Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting may miss the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa because of undisclosed family reasons.

The Australian squad was due to leave for South Africa this morning but Cricket Australia said Ponting would not make the flight.

Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist will lead the Australian squad and a decision on whether Ponting joins them for the tournament is expected later in the week.

All-rounder Shane Watson and paceman Stuart Clark will also remain behind and may join the squad later in the week. Watson has a hamstring injury, while Clark’s son has been taken ill.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said “a private family issue” had arisen with Ponting during the weekend. “The situation is expected to be clearer later in the week, at which time Ponting’s availability would be re-assessed,” Sutherland said.

“Any decision on whether or not a squad replacement is needed will be assessed at that time as well. In the meantime, Adam Gilchrist will head the squad as he has done with distinction on previous occasions.

Our captain is obviously disappointed not to be with the team for the start of tour and has asked if his privacy could be respected in the meantime.”

Flintoff doubtful

Meanwhile, Injuries of star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and Ravi Bopara seem to be a major concern for England as it may hamper their chances of taking part in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup starting in 10 days time, adds PTI from London.

Flintoff has been bothered by a troublesome left ankle that forced him to miss the fifth one-dayer against India at Headingley while Bopara dislocated his right thumb in dropping a return catch from Gautam Gambhir during the India innings on Sunday. Bopara, however, had come out to bat in pain.