Ponting close to form

Australia's Ricky Ponting tries to play his way back into form

Australia captain Ricky Ponting insists he is not far away from regaining his form despite another low score against Sri Lanka on Friday.

The best one-day batsman in the world, according to ICC rankings, has averaged a meagre 10.66 from six matches this series.

However Ponting, who was run out for 11 from 34 balls in his latest innings, said he only needed more time in the middle to regain his touch.

"I really do only think it's getting half-an-hour to an hour in the middle and every batsman says that,” he said.

“And it's getting that time in the middle that's really important. Hopefully it's on Sunday that I get that hour in the middle and a few balls from the middle and things will start to turn around."

The captain will not be rotated out of Australia's squad for their upcoming clash with India, but left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson will make way for speedster Brett Lee to return to the side.

Ponting said he was confident his slump in form would only be temporary and is determined to keep his place in the team in order to rediscover his free-scoring touch.

"I want to work my way through it and come through the other side. I'm not quite through it yet, but I'll keep trying and I'll keep working hard," he said.

"I did a lot of training yesterday (Thursday) and came out early this morning to get some bat on ball for a while. I'm working hard enough."