Australian captain Ricky Ponting has vowed to use a bouncy Barbados pitch to his advantage, saying his quicks will target West Indies leaders Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
After two Tests on relatively low and slow wickets Ponting is excited to get the opportunity to take on the a faster pitch, saying the Windies’ captain and vice-captain are sure to cop some chin music.
"I know some of their bowlers have been talking to some of our batsmen out in the middle, saying, 'We can't wait until we get you guys down to Barbados where there's a bit more pace and bounce'," Ponting told Fairfax.
"But we've grown up on those wickets. We get that every day at home. I don't think there are going to be too many Aussie batsmen having sleepless nights going into the game.
"It's the style of cricket the West Indies have grown up playing as well, so their bowlers will enjoy it.
"But there's no doubt our bowlers are going to enjoy it and I think our batsmen will enjoy it and I think our batsmen will probably enjoy it a bit more than theirs.
"Gayle's probably someone we can test out, Sarwan's probably someone we can test out early on.
"Now that I know there is going to be a bit more bounce I can probably hold the bowlers back a little bit and use them in shorter spells, so they are a bit fresher when those guys come in."
Left-arm off-spinner Beau Casson will make his debut tonight as Australia’s 401st Test cricketer, with Australia aiming to take its 50th Test victory over the West Indies.
