He then chipped in to take three important wickets, but it wasn't enough to get WA over the line - with the Blues eventually prevailing by four wickets.

As the Warriors attempted to defend their modest total, Coulter-Nile picked up 3-44, including the prize scalp of former Test batsman Simon Katich for a duck.

The fiery right-arm paceman and power-hitting batsman has been edging closer to national selection all summer.

Just two days before his latest exploits the rapidly advancing Western Australian had been roundly endorsed by national selection chairman John Inverarity as an international selection contender.

The Warriors were headed toward embarrassment when they were reduced to 6-62 after just 20 overs when Coulter-Nile steadied the innings and did his international chances no harm.

He sent an emphatic message to Inverarity and Australia's selectors, staking a claim for a spot in both the one-day and Twenty/20 teams.

The emerging bowling all-rounder hit six fours and one six on his way to his half-century in Perth, as the only Warriors player to score more than 20 runs.

He has played 11 one-day matches for Western Australia and averages 18.40 with the bat.

Coulter-Nile also played an important role for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, including taking 3-9 against the Sydney Thunder.

The young Warrior outshone many of his older and more experienced teammates on Wednesday, including Test No.3 Shaun Marsh, who once again failed to make a significant score.

Marsh is acting WA captain in the absence of official leaders Marcus North and Adam Voges, but was removed by his Test teammate Mitchell Starc for just five runs.

Liam Davis, fresh from his jaw-dropping unbeaten 303 against the Blues in the Sheffield Shield, also failed with the bat, managing just 10 on the unfriendly pitch.

The 37-year-old told reporters he didn't expect to get picked in the one-day team again, but he was determined to pursue his goal of winning selection for Australia's Ashes tour in 2013.

Ponting's five single-figure scores in this summer's tri-series against Sri Lanka and India led to the triple World Cup winner's departure from the one-day team.

But the former skipper's 544 runs at 108.80 in four Tests against India have left the 162-match veteran enthusiastic about carrying on at Test level, with a tour of the West Indies to come in April.

Lawson says if Ponting is true to his word about going out on top, then now's the time.

"I thought the press conference was one of the most self indulgent little pieces of self interest I've seen for a long time," Lawson said on Sydney's Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday.

"I listened very intently to it and there was a lot of 'I' ... 'I this' and 'I' that' and 'how I'm good for the team' and I'm really annoyed by it.

"I just thought it was incredibly self indulgent.

"Maybe Ricky needed it but I don't think the team needed it.

"He said he wanted to go out on top. Well, he just made a double hundred in the Test match (in Adelaide last month).

"The only way he can go now is down.

"To retire after Adelaide would have been absolutely perfect."

Former Pakistan coach Lawson urged Australia's selectors to start looking towards the future.

"If he doesn't make runs in the three Shield games, I'm not sure why he should be going to the West Indies," Lawson said.

"Let's move on and get a young player in there."

Former Australian captain Allan Border, whose 156-Test career ended in South Africa in 1994 at the age of 38, backed Ponting's decision to play on.

"He's still playing very good cricket as we saw in the last Test series against India but his one-day form has been off his absolute best," Border told foxsports.com.au.

"There's a feeling that the media feels as though it's a better thing if the player concerned sticks his hand up and retires gracefully but I just don't think that's in Ricky.

"He'll cop it on the chin. If his time is up and the selectors make the call, he'll accept that."

And despite failing to get amongst the runs in the Warriors' Sheffield Shield demolition of NSW over the weekend, Marsh is confident his leadership qualities will help translate into some runs to close out the domestic season.

"We've got a young team and being one of the leaders now hopefully I can go out there and get us off to a good start," Marsh told reporters on Tuesday.

"I think I'm a strong leader and I'm looking forward to taking charge of the young guys.

"I'm looking forward to getting out there and showing what I've got.

"It's just a backup role to Northy and Vogesy but hopefully one day, down the track, I'd like to captain WA full-time.

"I was a bit disappointed to miss out (on making runs) in the past few innings.

"I'm feeling good at the crease and I know a big one is not too far around the corner.

"I'm hitting the ball pretty well in the nets now and I'm looking forward to finishing off the season well for WA."

Both teams will be playing for little more than pride, with the Warriors winning just one match this season while the Blues fared only slightly better by picking up three wins.

"There's everything to play for. The pride of playing for WA," Marsh told reporters on Tuesday.

"We want to finish off in this competition well with two wins and keep that momentum going.

"We've got great momentum going in the Shield form and we want to continue that into one-day cricket."

Simon Katich will make a welcome return for the Blues after missing their dismal Shield loss with concussion, while paceman Mitchell Starc also returns after being released from the Australian one day side.

The Blues were hammered by an innings and 323 runs, despite fielding a strong lineup that included recent Test discards Brad Haddin, Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja, as well as Test allrounder Shane Watson's return from injury.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz (shoulder) and allrounder Moises Henriques (side strain) are also unavailable for NSW.

"It's a huge boost for our chances," Coyle told AAP.

"It's great to have Ricky in the team and great for him to have the opportunity to win a national title with Tasmania.

"It's something that's not on his resume and I know he's very determined having spoken to him today to make sure that's the case.

"He's excellent for the team, he's excellent to have around and he's very determined to do well."

Ponting will be part of a powerful batting lineup, which will include skipper George Bailey and Test opener Ed Cowan, when the squad is named on Wednesday.

"He'll strengthen our top order batting, which if there's been one part of our game that's been a little inconsistent, it's been our batting," Coyle said.

But a big talking point came in the Sri Lankan innings after India's Ashwin attempted a Mankad dismissal.

He knocked off the bails as he came into bowl in the 40th over and appealed - with non-striker Lahiru Thirimanne (62) well out of his crease.

Thirimanne - then 44 not out - looked unimpressed as umpires Paul Reiffel and Billy Bowden conferred with Indian captain Virender Sehwag.

Sachin Tendulkar walked over and suddenly India's appeal was withdrawn.

Late hitting by Irfan Pathan (47) gave India some hope but it was not enough to stop them dropping to the bottom of the tri-series table with two games to play.

Sri Lanka (11 points) overtook India (10) to trail leaders Australia (14) with three games to play, starting with Friday's clash with the home side in Hobart.

Thirimanne helped Sri Lanka post 6-289 off their 50 overs - a total that looked well beyond India when they were reduced to 1-0 after the second ball of their innings.

Sehwag - returning from injury to fill in for suspended captain MS Dhoni - swiped at a wide ball and was caught at third man by Nuwan Kulasekara for a duck.

Man of the match Kulasekara (3-40) then inflicted more damage with the ball in hand.

Tendulkar - still looking for that elusive 100th international ton - impressed with a 23-ball 22 before dragging Kulasekara onto his stumps trying to shoulder arms.

And India were 3-54 in the 12th over when Kulasekara had Gautam Gambhir (29) caught behind.

Kohli looked destined to be India's saviour after he was dropped on 14 and 32 - both times by a hapless Dinesh Chandimal.

But his luck ran out when caught by that man Kulasekara off Thisara Perera (4-37) and India never really recovered.

Earlier, Thirimanne hit six fours in a fighting 63-ball knock after Sri Lanka won the toss.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene (45) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) ensured a flying start as Sri Lanka cruised to 0-95 by the 19th over.

Thirimanne and late hitting by Angelo Mathews (49 not out off 37 balls) ensured a tough run chase for India.

But his recent form in the 50-overs format left a lot to be desired, after he made just 18 runs in five matches at an average of 3.60 - leaving national chairman of selectors John Inverarity little choice but to drop the iconic batsman.

The former Test captain told a packed media conference on Tuesday that he hadn’t seen the axing coming, because he had heard very little from the selection panel.

But Ponting said he understood why he had been dropped and said his focus was now on playing in the Sheffield Shield for Tasmania before heading to the Caribbean for the series against the West Indies.

“My performances over the last five games haven’t warranted me staying in the team,” Ponting said.

“I think I’ve proved to myself and everybody else that I’m still capable of dominating Test cricket, as I did in the last series against India.

“At the end of the day, I’m my best selector. If I had have scored runs in these five games, then obviously I wouldn’t have been dropped - so I’ve left the door open for them to make the decision they made yesterday.

“The reason I’m disappointed about getting dropped is of how much I actually love representing my country and playing cricket for Australia.

“I’ve got no bitterness at all at what’s happened, I totally understand the reasons why and the national selection panel are looking forward to building a team for the next World Cup.

“Right at the moment, going forward, I’m not part of their plans.” 

Ponting said he isn’t the sort of person who wants to have a massive farewell series - he just wants to represent Australia and be the best he can be.

While he declared he was hoping to play in the next Ashes series, he acknowledged retirement was something he would have to start thinking about.

“We all know that day is coming closer and closer for me,” he said.

“I’ll make a decision when I think that I can’t contribute to winning games of cricket for Australia.

“That’s all that’s been motivating me for the last 12 months, is to be the player that I know I can be and to do the best that I can for the Australian cricket team.

“When those feelings - if you like - die off, then it will be time for me to hang up the boots.”

Ponting said he would rather try to go on with his career and fail, rather than walk away from his career.

“I’ve always been of the belief that - I don’t mind people trying things and failing,” Ponting said.

“To tell the actual truth, I didn’t see this coming either.

“I’d had no communication from selectors that it might have happened through this series.

“But at the end of the day, it’s my job as an international batsman to score runs - and I haven’t done that in the last few games.”

Not only did the 21-year-old take two wickets in two balls in the first over after lunch, Pattinson struck Alex Ross on the elbow in the same over, causing the batsman to retire hurt.

Victoria coach Greg Shipperd says Pattinson may return to first-class action next Monday in Perth against Western Australia.

Pattinson, who played four Tests in December and January and was man of the match twice, is building his fitness base ahead of Australia's Test tour of the West Indies in April.

"He's done more than wicket damage. I think he might have broken some young fellow's hand or forearm or both," Shipperd told AAP.

"He has bowled very well today.

"He seems in good rhythm, he seems to be untroubled and so he ticks box number one to his recovery and comeback.

"He's fine. He's happy as Larry."

Shipperd said the plan was for Pattinson to bowl 10 overs in each innings of this week's four-day game.

"This is his first competitive bowl back. We think from here perhaps the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia," Shipperd said.

"And then probably he's available for one-dayers, five-dayers, anything after that I would have thought."

Pattinson had changed his footwear in a bid to avoid a recurrence of the injury.

"Hopefully that's going to contribute to him making sure that compression when you land is minimised and he can bowl happily for Test after Test and have no subsequent problem," Shipperd said.

Pattinson made his Test debut in December 2011 and after four matches in quick succession he was on the sidelines.

Cricket Australia high performance manager Pat Howard said last month he was conducting a review of the boots from official supplier Asics as part of an investigation into the foot problems suffered by young pacemen including Pattinson and Pat Cummins.

"We're not suggesting it is the reason, but it is something that has to be reviewed," Howard said.

The accompanying cricketing obituary from head selector John Inverarity signalled the end of Ponting's 375-match one-day career.

His 13,704 runs and 30 centuries were not enough to save him, with Shane Watson brought back to resume his career.

But whether Ponting now calls time on his will be weighed up by the former skipper, who was said to be considering his future in all forms of cricket following his ignominious end in the 50-over format.

Ponting will announce his intentions at a press conference in Sydney on Tuesday, his management announced.

“He made a double century in his last Test match and we are hoping he remains available for Test cricket,” Inverarity said.

“He is going to consider his future over the next couple of days and talk it over with his family and with his manager.

“He is wondering whether he retires from ODI cricket … and there of course the implications for Test cricket.

“For a man who plays cricket like Ricky has for 15 or more years, he has been an integral part of the team in ODIs and Test matches.

“If he drops out of the ODIs there is a possible lack of momentum there … it is a tough decision but when you take over a position like this you know these things are on the cards.

“You cannot put your heart to one side, but your head has got to dominate.”

Ponting captained two World Cup wins in 2003 and '07, which coincided with his period as one of the most dominant one-day batsmen in world cricket.

He brought up his 10,000th one-day run in the '07 campaign.

“Everyone holds Ricky in the highest regard … but we have got a decision to make,” Inverarity said.

Ponting’s Test career was in serious jeopardy before the summer against India, where the former skipper resurrected himself with a century and double century to worldwide acclaim.

Confident he could continue the form into the tri-series, Ponting has instead looked forlorn, scoring just 18 runs in five knocks in the tri-series for a meagre average of 3.60.

"It's fair to say I've struggled in the first five games," Ponting said.

"(But) at the end of the day I'm available for selection for Hobart's game (against Sri Lanka on Friday).

"I'm not going to put my hand up and say I want a break, because when you are going through a lean trot like I've had the last couple of games, you want to turn that around."

"I think for me the last couple of weeks my body's stayed in touch with everything, but my mind's stayed behind where it needs to be."

Factbox on Ricky Ponting

Age: 37

Home state: Tasmania (lives in Sydney)

ODI matches: 375 (fourth-highest in ODI history)

Debut: vs South Africa in Wellington, February 1995

Highest score: 164

Runs: 13,704 (second-highest in ODI history) at 42.03

Hundreds: 30 (second-highest in ODI history)

This series: 2-1-6-2-7 (18 runs at 3.6)

* One of three players to have played in three World Cup-winning sides, captaining the 2003 and 2007 teams

Test matches: 162 (fourth-highest in Test history)

Debut: vs Sri Lanka in Perth, December 1995

Highest score: 257

Runs: 13,200 (third-highest in Test history) at 53.44

Hundreds: 41 (third-highest in Test history)
 

Injured all-rounder Shane Watson returns to the fold as vice captain, under Michael Clarke, with Ryan Harris recalled for Mitchell Starc.

But it is Ponting's absence for the next two games that will send shock waves through Australian cricket.

“Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the squad due to his lack of form in the five Commonwealth Bank Series matches to date in this series," national selector John Inverarity said.

"The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport.

“Ricky’s record speaks for itself.

"He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories.

“Ricky’s contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding.

"The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing-room is acknowledged by all.

"He is held in the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this.

“Ricky being prepared to take over the captaincy in Michael Clarke’s recent absence for the sake of the team is yet another example of his selfless attitude and team-first focus."

In a further blow to Brad Haddin's international future, Inverarity said that Matthew Wade was now considered the first choice wicketkeeper in 50-over cricket.

“The NSP made the decision that Matthew Wade is now the preferred ODI wicket-keeper for the Australian ODI team," Inverarity said.

"The intention at this stage is to have both Matthew and Brad Haddin in the West Indies together for the duration of the tour.”

Watson returns after successfully negotiating a comeback in NSW's woeful Shield loss to WA.

“Shane Watson also comes back into the squad. He is an all-rounder of proven class and the NSP is keen to have him re-join the squad," Inverarity said.

Australian squad: 

Michael Clarke - Captain (NSW)
Shane Watson - Vice-captain (NSW)
Dan Christian (SA)
Xavier Doherty (TAS)
Peter Forrest (QLD)
Ryan Harris (QLD)
Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS)
David Hussey (VIC)
Michael Hussey (WA)
Brett Lee (NSW)
Clint McKay (VIC)
Matthew Wade (VIC)
David Warner (NSW)

Defending champions Victoria won only three of their eight one-day games this season.

South Australia will host the final on February 25 against Tasmania.

Finch, who made a pair in last week's Sheffield Shield game against South Australia, was initially given not out when pace bowler Gary Putland appealed for lbw on Saturday night.

However while there's no player-driven Decision Review System in the domestic one-day cup, there's still a third-umpire review and on this occasion the lbw appeal was upheld after consultation with the video official.

Finch turfed his helmet and then his bat as he marched angrily down the players' race following his dismissal and the incident was captured on Fox Sports' TV coverage of the game.

The opening batsman was reprimanded for a level 1.1 breach of the code of behaviour for abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground or fixtures and fittings, CA said in a statement on Monday.

Haddin was one of seven wickets for former Test spinner Michael Beer, who claimed career-best figures of 7-46 as WA wrapped up the comprehensive win on day three.

Haddin's weak prod at a Beer delivery resulted in a simple caught and bowled to the left-arm spinner, at a time when NSW desperately needed a cool head.

His spot in the Australian touring team to the Caribbean appears in jeopardy with Matthew Wade looking more than comfortable in the Australian one-day side.

Team-mate Shane Watson did enough to suggest he will be back as a batsman in the West Indies.

Watson was used sparingly as a bowler and looked far from 100 per cent fit when he was thrown the ball.

After making just 91 in their first innings, the visitors fared little better in the second - all out for 146.

At one stage, NSW were 1-54 in their second dig, but lost five wickets for 19 runs to lose any realistic chance of taking the game into a fourth day.

Usman Khawaja (17), Watson (31), Haddin (0), Ben Rohrer (0) and captain Stephen O'Keefe (1) all fell quickly before tea.

Beer took four scalps in the final session to claim a deserved seven-wicket haul.

Earlier on Sunday, WA declared their first innings at 3-560, 469 runs ahead of the visitors, shortly before lunch.

Davis nearly failed to reach his triple-ton had Timm Van Der Gugten not dropped a sitter on the boundary which rolled over the rope to let the opener raise his bat.

After losing partner Adam Voges (178) early in the session - following a 379-run, 456-minute partnership - Davis took to the NSW attack, belting three sixes on his way to the milestone.

His triple century came off 524 balls with 41 fours and six sixes.

It was his fifth straight single-figure score in the tri-series, leaving the 37-year-old with 18 runs at 3.6 in five bats and his top-order place on thin ice.

Never before in his 375-match ODI career has Ponting failed to reach double figures in five consecutive games but statistics don't tell the full story.

Coming to the crease after David Warner (43 off 46) propelled Australia to 1-70 in the 13th over, the Tasmanian looked horribly out of sorts as he struggled to find the middle of his bat.

Ponting took 13 balls to get off the mark, resorted to charging Irfan Pathan when on two and was lucky not to be dismissed on four when he attempted to leave a ball from Zaheer Khan but got an underside edge.

Completing the 33-minute momentum-shift, Ponting fell swiping Zaheer off his pads to give Pathan a simple catch at deep square-leg.

Although Ponting's currently the caretaker captain, there's no selection guarantees with Michael Clarke due to come back from a minor hamstring strain this week and allrounder Shane Watson also waiting in the wings for a return.

Australia coach Mickey Arthur admitted on Saturday Ponting was jaded following a long summer where he'd played every game and needed a rest.

While Arthur said Ponting was too important to Clarke's rising team, the rest is likely to come when the selectors meet on Monday to choose a new squad.

Ponting could then be in serious danger of following in the footsteps of dumped wicketkeeper Brad Haddin whose resting has become an interminable sleep due to the form of replacement Matthew Wade.

With the next World Cup three years away, there were calls for Ponting to retire from one-day cricket and become a Test specialist before his latest failure.

His last one-day century was 17 matches and almost 11 months ago in the quarter-final loss to India at the 2011 World Cup - his final match as full-time skipper.

In Australia's last two one-day series, he's scored just 104 runs at 12.75 and selection chief John Inverarity may find it's the best time to move forward with younger batsmen and leave Ponting to focus on Test cricket and build to next year's Ashes.

But both sides face growing worries about modern-day greats Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar who were both made to look second-rate with ugly failures at the Gabba.

A tired Ponting's immediate one-day future is on shaky ground after he looked all at sea making just seven - his fifth straight single-figure failure - as Australia posted 5-288.

But the stand-in skipper, due for a rest with Michael Clarke expected to return from injury this week, still managed to marshall his troops to a convincing victory by routing India for 178.

The tourists had no answers to the pace and swing of new-ball duo Hilfenhaus and Brett Lee (3-49) who ripped through their top-order to effectively kill off the contest at 4-36.

Skipper MS Dhoni delayed the inevitable with a patient 56 but once he holed out to Hilfenhaus, in the 38th over, a bonus point was in the bag for Australia.

Australia's dominant win takes them to the top of the table on 13 points - three ahead of India (10), who will meet Sri Lanka (7) on Tuesday.

While Australia's selectors have a dilemma in how to handle Ponting's twilight years, especially with the next World Cup three years away, India appear to have just as big a problem in managing Tendulkar.

The Little Master, searching for his hundredth international century for the past 11 months, was made to look like a rookie as he upper cut Hilfenhaus straight to Xavier Doherty at third man to fall for three.

While Ponting has just 18 runs in the tri-series at an embarrassing average of 3.6, Tendulkar has 68 runs at 17 and hasn't looked like challenging for his milestone century.

Like Tendulkar, who lasted 12 balls, Ponting struggled to find the middle of his bat and the gaps in the field in a painful 26-ball stay after David Warner propelled the home side to 1-70 with a breezy 43.

Australia's momentum halted with his innings and only an impressive century stand by Mike Hussey (59 off 52) and adopted Queenslander Peter Forrest (52 off 71) put the home side on track on a good batting wicket.

Late lusty hitting by Dan Christian (30no off 18) and David Hussey (26no off 20) then ensured India would face a tough chase as they blasted 65 off the last six overs.

India shot themselves in the foot in the field with four dropped catches, including two off Mike Hussey, and two muffed run outs.

The comedy of errors wasn't restricted to the players though with the match officials involved in farcical scenes after third umpire Bruce Oxenford unwittingly giving Hussey out on one.

Oxenford blamed a technical malfunction as he attempted to give the not out call to a stumping review but "OUT" flashed on the big screen before the batsman trudged off, only to be recalled by the on-field umpires.

And Arthur says in an ideal world Ponting would be taking a break rather than preparing to lead Australia into battle once more against India at the Gabba on Sunday.

"If I have to be totally honest Ricky is a little bit jaded, like a couple of our Test players that have played all summer," Arthur told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday.

"But that is the treadmill of international cricket and they have to find a way to make their performances count and have an impact on the team."

Ponting himself conceded after Friday night's loss that his own form was not satisfactory but said he had no intention to call time on his 374 one-day international career.

Arthur said there's no doubt Ponting's experience and knowledge are vital to Australia but that wouldn't ensure a future at ODI level unless his performances start to improve.

"Every cricketer's currency is performance, that's what gets you into the Australian team," he said.

"A character like Ricky Ponting is someone you want around the team all the time because he's so inspirational, he's still our fittest player and hardest trainer and he trains with the most intensity, he's a fantastic example to every guy who comes into this team.

"Ricky is a class act, there is no way you can write off a champion like Ricky Ponting.

"He faced those same issues around the first couple of Test matches and he came through the Test series, had a great series against India and I hope he turns it around tomorrow."

Ponting admits his form is nowhere near acceptable, but he hadn't considered avoiding the captaincy in Clarke's absence even though that leadership role is set to extend a game further with Clarke ruled out of Sunday's clash in Brisbane.

"This week is nothing different for me, just got a little bit of added responsibility that I've had 170 times before," he said.

"It's nothing new to me but being able to make the team bounce back strongly for Sunday is something that we've all got to take on board.

"I'm going to have a leading role in that and I'm going to make sure I do everything I can to get the boys up on Sunday."

Tasmanian skipper George Bailey joined the international squad in Brisbane on Saturday as cover with Clarke no longer available.

Victorian spinner Jon Holland is also with the squad in a cover role following Xavier Doherty's back spasms in the lead-up to Friday's match.

Sunday's game begins at 1.20pm (1420 AEDT).

Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), David Warner, George Bailey, Daniel Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ben Hilfenhaus, Jon Holland, Dave Hussey, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.

Victorian spinner Jon Holland will remain with the squad after joining this morning.

“George Bailey has been added to the Australian squad as a standby batsman for this match in Brisbane. While it is not ideal having to take George away from the Sheffield Shield match currently underway in Hobart, we feel it is important we have sufficient batting cover in our squad," Australian coach Mickey Arthur said.

“This selection is reward for George’s excellent form with Tasmania this season and recognition that the NSP consider him the next batsman in line for Australian one-day selection.

Bailey will depart Hobart late tomorrow to allow him as long as possible to play in day two of the Sheffield Shield game against Queensland and join the squad in Brisbane tomorrow evening.

“Michael Clarke is progressing well in his recovery from a right hamstring injury but remains unavailable for selection in Brisbane. His availability for the ODI in Hobart will be determined early next week," Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

The Australian squad for Sunday’s ODI is:

Ricky Ponting (c)
David Warner (vc)
George Bailey
Daniel Christian
Xavier Doherty
Peter Forrest
Ben Hilfenhaus
Jon Holland
Dave Hussey
Mike Hussey
Brett Lee
Clint McKay
Mitchell Starc
Matthew Wade

And after Cricket Australia had finally admitted the test wicketkeeper had been dropped for form not fitness reasons, there was a reminder why.

Haddin last just four balls until he edged Coulter-Nile into the slips where he was snared by Adam Voges.

The only black spot for WA's positive morning was a serious hand injury to Marcus North as he attempted to take a catch in the gully.

The former Test batsman was immediately taken to see a surgeon, with WACA officials fearful their skipper could be ruled out for some time. 

Haddin's dismissal was part of a dismal second session for the Blues, with the visitors losing 9-31 to slump from 1-60 to all out 91.

Coulter-Nile and Nathan Rimmington both took four wickets.

"We're not comfortable with the level of uncertainty and public discussion on this particular matter," Sutherland told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

"The really important thing though for us, and the real focus in recent times ... has been to the players and perhaps that area of improving that for the public's benefit just needs to be touched up on as well."

Sutherland was at pains to not actually criticise the national selectors over the confusion, saying it had been more of a problem in the communication process than anything else.

He said the public deserved to know why certain selection decisions were being taken and hoped the situation would be avoided in the future.

"Looking back on it, something clearly has gone awry there and that's something we need to be clearer on," he said.

"If there are things that need to be made clearer in the public place and they're not then they're things we need to improve.

"We owe that to cricket fans and the country."

"I've got a little hamstring strain. It's on the mend. It's probably unlikely I'll be picked for Brisbane, though," Clarke told the Nine Network.

"I've done a lot of work over the last couple of days and physio Alex Kountouris would prefer me to rest but I'm not far away at all.

"It's going to be hard to watch, that's for sure, but the boys are flying so no doubt Punter (Ricky Ponting) can come out and do a great job, as he has for a long time."

The Scorchers and Western Australian star has been told not to bowl again this summer - with an absence of several months almost inevitable.

“Mitch complained of quite significant lower-back pain during yesterday’s training session at the SCG," Australian physio 
Alex Kountouris said.

"After assessing him and considering his age we organised scans in Sydney last night that have confirmed our suspicions of a lower-back bone stress injury.

“He will have further scans tomorrow in Melbourne to determine the extent of the injury, which will help outline the period of rest required from cricket.

"We expect that he will not play as a bowler for the remainder of this season but will be in a position to provide further information once we have the results of tomorrow’s scans.”

Selectors will now name a replacement player for the Brisbane ODI to be played on Sunday.

India still top the triangular series table with 10 points after all teams have played four matches with Australia on nine and Sri Lanka now on seven.

The next match is Australia playing India in Brisbane on Sunday.

David Hussey made 58 off 64 balls to top score by a long way in an innings interrupted by a two-hour rain delay which reduced the game to a 41-over a side affair.

The disappointing total is Australia's fifth lowest completed innings in a one-day match at the SCG and their lowest since being dismissed for 133 against South Africa in 1997.

The Victorian right-hander, dropped twice in his innings, came in with Australia struggling at 4-60 after David Warner (13), Ricky Ponting (two), Matthew Wade (15) and Michael Hussey (13) had all fallen cheaply.

Peter Forrest (16) and Dan Christian (6) both fell before rain halted play and gave Australia some respite.

When play resumed Clint McKay (3) was trapped lbw by spinner Rangana Herath but a 49-run stand between David Hussey and Mitch Starc lifted Australia to a more respectable total.

Starc ended on 17 when he was run out in the final over from a direct hit by Nuwan Kulasekara.

Sri Lanka were well led by recalled fast bowler Farveez Maharoof, who took 2-18 off eight overs, while Thisan Perera also had two wickets finishing with 2-29 off seven overs.

Perera was also a standout in the field, forcing the run out of Wade with a brilliant stop before hitting the stumps himself later in the innings to catch Brett Lee (0) short.