Transitional period must end - Ponting

Nathan Hauritz's captain declared "it's always important to have a specialist spinner" ahead of the Brisbane Test

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Ricky Ponting believes it is time for Australia’s ‘rebuilding’ period to come to an end as they prepare to take on West Indies at the Gabba this week.

Captain Ponting finds himself at the helm of a transitional side which has slipped to number four in the ICC's Test rankings after series losses to India, South Africa and England.

Gone are the days when Ponting could throw the ball to any one of partnership-breaking veterans Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath or Brett Lee, who all boast over 300 Test wickets.

But while replacing those talent levels has taken time, Ponting does not want to hear any more excuses.

"We've got a squad of players together that I think can keep improving," Ponting said.

"(For) most of the guys now, it's not so much about being that inexperienced anymore, because a lot of the guys have played in a few Tests and some big Test matches.

"We've had our ups and downs, we've had our moments when we've been really tested and sometimes we haven't been able to cope with what has come our way.

"But for this summer, we want to start on the right note."

Complacency will not be an issue for Australia. Ponting said his charges' focus was very much on rebounding strongly after their inability to retain the Ashes earlier this year.

"The last series that we played, and the last Test we played, was a bit disappointing for this group," he said.

"Our best cricket was good enough, but there was too big a gap compared to our worst, I've been saying that for a long time and that's what we need to get better at."

The Australia selectors have kept faith with the Ashes line-up with only one change - left-arm quick Doug Bollinger brought in for his New South Wales team-mate Stuart Clark - to the squad that conceded the fifth npower Test to England at the Brit Oval by 197 runs.

Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke have recovered from the finger and back injuries that forced them to miss the recent one-day series in India, and Victoria paceman Peter Siddle is rested after his early return from that tour with a side strain.

For West Indies, young Trinidad batsman Adrian Barath, right, could make his debut, opening alongside captain Chris Gayle

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Ponting confirmed Nathan Hauritz was set to rejoin the XI.

He added: "It's always important to have a specialist spinner I think. I can't see how this wicket here will be any different."

The tourists are relatively inexperienced, save for their stalwart core of skipper Chris Gayle, who scored 10 and 33 in his only previous appearance at the Gabba in 2005, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

Gayle's preparation for the Test was disrupted when he dashed home to Jamaica to be with his mother, who was taken ill with a heart problem.

The 84-Test veteran, one of only two specialist openers in the touring squad, was scheduled to return to Brisbane tomorrow, giving him just 24 hours to acclimatise.

The bowling attack is led by Jerome Taylor, with the 25-year-old declaring himself fit and ready for the series.

The lively fast bowler pushed himself in the nets and said he was pleased with the work-out as he looks to make sure he is full ready for the opening encounter.

“I had a very good day in the nets and I’m happy with my build-up to the Test matches. Over the coming days I will continue to put in the work to make sure I’m fully ready for what promises to be a very good series,” Taylor said.

“I am fully aware the team will be looking to me to lead the attack and I am sure I will be able to handle that responsibility.”