Ponting wary of ‘dangerous’ WI

"We know they are a very dangerous side, and we have spoken about that in our meetings leading up to this match," said the Australian captain on the eve of the First Test at the Gabba "The batting is very good."

"They’ve got quality batting right down the list. Their bowling, although that is slightly inexperienced, we know that they are dangerous as well."

Keen to build on the domination of last month’s "Super Series," the 30-year-old Tasmanian is acutely aware that the West Indian pacers have the potential to be destructive.

"We’ve had a look at them and most of them can bowl quite quickly," he acknowledged.

"They are guys we haven’t seen very often before so we have to pay a lot of respect to them when play gets underway and hopefully start the series well and keep them under pressure."

Of the five fast bowlers in the West Indies squad, Fidel Edwards and Daren Powell had yet to play a Test against Australia before Brisbane, Tino Best and Corey Collymore appeared only once against them, while Jermaine Lawson had made the biggest impact so far with a hat-trick in Barbados and career-best figures of 7 for 78 in Antigua when Steve Waugh last brought the Australians to the Caribbean in 2003.

Despite enduring bitter criticism of his leadership in the Ashes series loss two months ago and with anticipation building already for the rematch Down Under in a year’s time, Ponting says his side cannot afford to lose focus on the immediate challenge.

"The Ashes loss is a long way behind us and the next time we get to play them is a long way ahead of us," he contended.

"We have to stay right in the present now and make sure we’re paying attention to the West Indies team. They are the sort of side, if they get a bit of confidence, will play even better."

Ponting will get the opportunity to lead Australia in a Test in his home state for the first time on November 17 as the Second Test is scheduled for the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. It will also mark the first occasion that the Caribbean side are playing a Test there. The third and final Test is set for the Adelaide Oval from November 25 to 29.