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Aussies see Windies Test as practice

By Tom Wald 24/11/2005 06:18:08 PM Comments (0)

Australia is aiming to dodge the dead rubber syndrome by using the final Test against the West Indies as practice for its upcoming series against South Africa.

Captain Ricky Ponting says his side is already eyeing off the three-Test series against world No.4 South Africa starting December 16 in Perth.

The Australian team retained the Frank Worrell Trophy earlier this week and is chasing its second successive series whitewash over the Windies on home soil in Adelaide starting on Friday.

Ponting said he had spoken to his players about preparing for the South African series and maintaining their razor sharp edge since losing the Ashes.

"Although we have a Test match to play here, it is important that with probably a stronger opposition arriving in a couple of weeks, we focus on maintaining really high standards that we have set since we got back from England," Ponting said.

"That starts with our training but we have to take that into the games and make sure we are paying attention to detail.

"But inside I have a feeling that the Windies are pretty vulnerable at the moment and it is up to us to put them down from the first ball."

Ponting said Shane Warne, who has been suffering from back soreness, was fit to play in the Adelaide Oval clash with spinner Stuart MacGill again edging out seamer Nathan Bracken for the final bowling spot.

Bracken will wait until Friday morning as cover before flying back to Sydney for the Pura Cup match between NSW and Queensland starting Saturday in Sydney.

However the left-armer is not the only player being moved around by the selectors.

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