Roach, Ponting ready for bruising reunion

West Indies seamer Kemar Roach renews his bruising rivalry with Ricky Ponting on Saturday as the home side seek to end two decades of failure against Australia.

When Roach and Ponting last came face to face in a Test at the pacy WACA in Perth in 2009, the former Australian skipper was peppered with a series of short-pitched deliveries.

One 146kph delivery smacked into Ponting's elbow and, although the gritty Australian soldiered on for over half an hour, he was forced to retire to nurse his wounds.

"I remember Ponting making some comments some time ago about helping to launch Kemar's career," West Indies coach Ottis Gibson told the Nation newspaper on Friday, on the eve of the first Test at Kensington Oval.

"I'm sure that Kemar, if he gets the opportunity on Saturday morning first up with the new ball in his hand, will be looking forward to it. Likewise, I'm sure Ricky will be looking to get back at Kemar." AFP