Ponting's Australian tourists leave for Zimbabwe on Thursday

As Ponting's side prepare to leave on Thursday, Zimbabwe are still without 15 leading players after a row over the sacking of captain Heath Streak.

"We still don't know who we will be playing," said Ponting.

"We just have to play the best cricket we possibly can and if it's against a second-rate team then hopefully we can finish the games quickly."

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union ended the contracts of the 15 but said they could still play against current tourists Sri Lanka or Australia.

We can't afford to worry about these things; it's completely out of our control Ricky Ponting

Chief executive Vince Hogg said: "All they have to do is to notify us of their willingness to practice and be available for selection.

"I really hope they return because what has happened these last two weeks is very saddening."

Tim May, the head of Australia's player union, said the player affair "makes cricket look stupid".

He told The Australian newspaper: "There must be quality controls to maintain the standard of Test cricket."

May will meet with ICC operations manager Dave Richardson in Dubai on Friday in a bid to have the ruling body intervene.

"They have the power to act," he said.

"The ICC's strategic plan states that there is no place in the game for racism, which both sides have been accused of here.

"The ICC is charged with upholding these values."

Australia open their tour with a three-day match against Zimbabwe A starting on Monday in Harare.

They make the trip without Stuart MacGill, who withdrew because of moral concerns over to the political situation in Zimbabwe.

"The events seem to be changing every day," Ponting added.

"We can't afford to worry about these things. It's completely out of our control."