Australia have been dominating the West Indies for the past 16 years. The last series victory for the Caribbean team came way back in 1992-93 in Australia, when Richie Richardson's men won 2-1. Since then, the Australians have chalked up four series wins while drawing the 1999 encounter in the West Indies. At home in 2003, the West Indies lost 3-1 and then, two years later, were beaten 3-0 in Australia.

That drawn series in 1999 was all about the brilliance of Brian Lara and with nobody in this West Indies squad even close to his class, it would not be a big surprise if the visitors made a clean sweep of all the matches.

The West Indies are handicapped by the fact that they will go into the opening Test without their most prolific opener, the dangerous Chris Gayle. His replacement, fellow Jamaican Brenton Parchment, has no record to stand on, neither does the other likely opener, Grenadian Devon Smith. Middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels, who batted so well against South Africa at the beginning of the year, is also out, suspended for two years by the West Indies Cricket Board.

Samuels' suspension leaves a gap in the middle order but there is really no one around to fill the void. Dwayne Bravo is a very good allrounder who is perhaps destined for greatness. Both his batting and bowling have improved by leaps and bounds over the past two years but the West Indies vice-captain is still learning his craft and is not yet good enough to be called either a top bowler or batsman.

Captain Sarwan and his fellow Guyanese, Shivnarine Chander-paul, the two most experienced men on the team, will, therefore, be expected to carry the fight to the Australians in the batting department.

Sarwan, who was out with injury for several months, appeared to be coming back to his best in the recent series against Sri Lanka. In four innings, the newly appointed West Indies captain had scores of 80 and 72 in the first Test, and 57 and 102 in the second.

Chanderpaul scored a crucial 86 not out to ensure that the West Indies shared the series. Both players failed to sparkle in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, but back in conditions which will be much to their liking, they should do well.

On the bowling side, a lot will be expected from Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards. Taylor bowled extremely well in both matches against Sri Lanka, while Edwards was impressive when added to the attack in the second Test.

Feedback