Australian captain Ricky Ponting has batted in the MCG nets in a bid to prove his fitness for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.

Ponting faced only eight minutes of throw-downs from coach Tim Nielsen on Thursday before he went into the change rooms to have his injured elbow assessed by physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

But he returned and spent 25 minute in the nets – in two stints – and did not look hampered by the injury he suffered in the third Test against the West Indies in Perth, where he was struck by a delivery from Kemar Roach, which caused tendon damage.

Australia will assess Ponting again on Friday to see how he recovers from Thursday’s session.

Ponting has not missed a Test match for five years but if does not face Pakistan, he will be replaced by NSW’s Phillip Hughes, while Michael Clarke will take the reins as captain.

Clarke said he and his teammates were confident Ponting would play after watching him bat.

“He’ll have to see how he pulls up tomorrow but we’re all pretty confident … it looked like he hit the ball quite well, he’s obviously in very good form and fingers crossed he pulls up all right tomorrow,” Clarke said.

“We’re pretty confident.”

Clarke said he was yet to ponder what it would be like captaining Australia in a Test.

“Not at all,” he said.

“All the boys have been very confident throughout the whole week that Ricky would pull up pretty good for this game.

“It was good to see him have a good bat today and we’ll wait and see how he pulls up tomorrow to confirm that.

“He’s a very tough bloke and cricketer and you’d probably have to cut his arm off for him to miss the Boxing Day Test match.”

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.