As the city gears up for Diwali, and then the all-important Test match at Feroze Shah Kotla, Australia skipper Ricky Ponting is busy getting a regional touch to regain his touch with the willow after the setback at Mohali.

Accompanied by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, the 33-year-old from Tasmania made a whirlwind tour to Meerut on Thursday to shave the balance on his bat. The two spent some three hours at the SG bat factory in the city renowned for manufacturing sports goods on Thursday and ordered bats for themselves and teammates.

According to sources, they weighed features of each bat and suggested some modifications. Ponting reportedly ordered three bats for himself while Haddin chose two. They also ordered two bats each for teammates Shane Watson and left-handed bat Michael Hussey.

The cricketers and officials from the sports goods manufacturer did not speak with the media.

Incidentally, Ponting has had a wrist surgery due to which he missed the last home series against Bangladesh. He is on his first tour since the surgery and realised after the Chennai and, more specifically, Mohali Test matches that he needs to use his wrists a lot more on Indian wickets. According to information, he shaved the balance of the bat slightly to have less strain on his wrists.

Haddin came to inspect new wicketkeeping gloves.

Ponting, Haddin, Watson and Hussey — the last two did not come to Meerut — play with Kookaburra bats. SG manufactures the willows for Kookaburra and delivers them to Australia.