The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Windies gear up for Aussies

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

West Indies bowlers Fidel Edwards (left) and Jerome Taylor (second left) participate in a training session at Sabina Park yesterday in preparation for the first Test against Australia on Thursday. - Junior Dowie

The West Indies had their first training session on Jamaican soil yesterday at Sabina Park, three days ahead of their mammoth clash with the world's best side, Australia.

All the members of the 14-man squad participated in a net session at the venue for the first Test starting Thursday except all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Chanderpaul was due in the island late last night while Bravo popped in at the training session after a delayed arrival from India where both he and Chanderpaul play in the Indian Premier League.

The West Indies' last home win against the Aussies was way back in 1991 but interim captain Ramnaresh Sarwan said following two improved series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, the team is riding high on confidence.

"We have done well in our last two tours and it is important to play that way and try and improve as much as we can, especially against Australia," said Sarwan.

"It would be a great pleasure to beat them and if we can do that we would be very satisfied."

Great expectation

Despite the visitors coming off a long layoff and the introduction of several new players, Sarwan said he expects nothing less of the world champs.

"We've got to accept that it's the number one team in the world we are playing and we need to lift our game and play as consistent as we can," Sarwan said.

"Against Sri Lanka we were very consistent in our performance when we bat and bowled. We didn't get the scores we wanted but we were consistent."

West Indies won the limited overs series 2-0 and drew the Test series 1-1 against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle was limited in his workout yesterday as he recovers from a groin injury suffered during the one-day series against Sri Lanka in April.

"Chris has been working feverishly on (improving) his injury and he has been doing a lot of rehabilitation work with the physiotherapist," said West Indies team manager Omar Khan.

Khan was unable to say, however, when Gayle is likely to return to action.

Standby player

Chris Gayle works on his batting at Sabina Park yesterday. - LeVaughn Flynn

Xavier Marshall, who made his debut for the West Indies against Australia as an 18 year old in 2005, has been added to the squad as a standby player.

"Xavier has been added to the squad as a standby to aid in his development," Khan noted.

"This is to involve the region's young cricketers as we want to encourage them to play for the West Indies."

The West Indies will train again this afternoon and tomorrow morning at Sabina Park.

JUST LANDED: West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (right) greets teammate Chris Gayle (left) and physiotherapist C.J. Clarke at Sabina Park shortly after arriving in the island from Mumbai, India yesterday. The West Indies are preparing for the first Test against World Champions Australia beginning on Thursday at Sabina Park. Gayle will not play in the first Test as he is recovering from a groin injury. - LeVaughn Flynn