Ponting (right) is rested while Hilfenhaus stays as injury cover

"He has played every match in all forms of the game since September," said selector Andrew Hilditch.

"We think this is the right time for him to allow his body to rest ahead of the World Cup."

Batsman Brad Hodge will play his first match in almost a year while Adam Gilchrist takes over as captain, with Michael Hussey as his deputy.

Meanwhile Hodge, who lost his Test place last year despite a double century against South Africa, was grateful for the chance to revive his international career.

"I've just got one game and one little opportunity and hopefully I can perform well and make an impression like I always try to do," he said.

Having made an impressive ODI debut against New Zealand in Hobart on Sunday, pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus has been retained in the squad as injury cover.

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Veteran Glenn McGrath is expected to overcome groin soreness in time, while Brett Lee is close to returning after a bout of bronchitis caused him to miss the first two matches.

Ponting was impressed by the display of fellow Tasmanian Hilfenhaus, who took a wicket with his 12th delivery in Sunday's thrashing of New Zealand.

"I've known for the last couple of years he would do well when he got his opportunity. He will keep improving and be a good bowler for Australia for a long time," said Ponting.

"Brett will probably come back on Friday. It would be nice to keep Ben around the squad but whether that will happen I don't know."

Andrew Symonds, named man of the match against New Zealand after hitting 69 and taking two wickets, said Australia could still improve on the way to the series finals.

"We're having a fairly good run, but we're not satisfied by any means," he said.

"We still see this as a very important process because we've still got the World Cup coming up ... we're building our whole summer around to hopefully being in a World Cup final.

"We've still got a bit of improving to do. I think we've still played pretty good in the first two games, but there are things there we can still pay some attention to."