Galle, Sep 3 (IANS): Ricky Ponting will not feature in the Australian side for the second Test against Sri Lanka as he is heading home for the birth of his second child.

Cricket Australia?s National Selection Panel (NSP) has named left-hand batsman David Warner as a replacement for Ponting, who was member of the team that won the first Test by 125 runs here Saturday.

"Warner will join the Australian Test squad in Sri Lanka as a standby player for Ricky Ponting, who is returning to Australia tonight for the birth of his second child," said Cricket Australia in a statement.

"Ponting will miss the second Test of Australia?s VB Tour of Sri Lanka and plans to return in time for the third and final Test of the series in Colombo. Warner will fly to Sri Lanka as soon as possible and remain with the squad until Ponting returns from Australia," the statement added.

The Australian squad will travel from Galle to Kandy Monday with the second Test beginning at Pallekelle Stadium Thursday.