Scottish cricket fans will not have the chance to watch Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in action later this month after Australia gave the 34-year-old permission to skip the trip north of the border.

The Saltires take on Australia on the August 28 but vice captain Michael Clarke will take over the duties at The Grange.

Australia will choose from a 14-man panel named yesterday for their ODI and Twenty20 matches against Scotland and England but after his Ashes exertions Ponting will not make the trip.

“Ricky Ponting is having his workload managed and will return home to Australia after the fifth Test at The Oval and will miss the ODI against Scotland, the two Twenty20s and the start of the ODI series against England," said Australia's chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch.

"This is the last opportunity we have to give Ricky a break until next year, with the ICC Champions Trophy, ODIs against India and of course a full domestic summer against the West Indies and Pakistan to finish 2009.

"The plan for him to return to Australia before rejoining the team is considered the most appropriate course of action.

"This gives Michael Clarke another opportunity to captain the Australian Twenty20 and ODI side."

Australia ODI squad to face Scotland: Michael Clarke (capt), Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wk), Peter Siddle, Shane Watson, Cameron White.