HOBART, Australia,  CMC – Ricky Ponting hopes West Indies can settle their protracted industrial dispute before they visit Australia in November.

West Indies are set to face Australia in three Tests in November before returning in February for five One-day International and two Twenty20 Internationals, and Ponting wants to face the best of the West Indies.

I just really hope the West Indies have their issues sorted out by the time it’s time to come to Australia,” Ponting told the Australian Associated Press. “None of us want to be playing against a second-rate or a B-grade West Indian side. We want to be playing against the best sides and the best players all the time.

“So let’s hope it is sorted out. Australian fans over the years have really enjoyed seeing the West Indies team out there, so hopefully they get their best players out here.”

West Indies are fielding a depleted squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa, where they will face Australia in their opening match.

Several of the leading players – including Shivnarine Chanderpaul – have been sidelined because of the dispute.

The West Indies Cricket Board said that though they players are available for selection, they are ineligible because they failed to sign crucial squad term contracts for the competition.