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West Indies coach Ottis Gibson talks tough ahead of Test series against Australia..
By Ed Jackson AAP April 05, 2012 3:42PM
Talking tough ... the West Indies believe they can knock off Australia in the Test series. Source: Chris Brandis / News Limited
Full of self-belief after their fighting displays in the limited-overs matches, the West Indies have issued a pre-Test warning to Australia that their time has come.
Since Australia's breakthrough series win under Mark Taylor in the Caribbean in 1994-95, the West Indies have failed to win a series between the two nations with the drawn series in 1998-99 as close as they have come.
In the past decade, Australia's dominance over the Windies has been almost absolute, with just one loss and two draws from the past 18 Tests between the nations.
But Windies coach Ottis Gibson believes his squad of 13 for Saturday's series opener at Kensington Oval in Barbados has what it takes to defy recent history and beat Australia at Test level.
Gibson says his team's togetherness - the squad is largely the same one which played Test series in Bangladesh and India last year, bar the recall of batsman Narsingh Deonarine for Marlon Samuels - and the confidence gained from the drawn one-day and Twenty20 campaigns are reasons Australia should fear this Windies lineup.
"I think it's a good series for us. We've been growing as a group of players for the last 12 months," Gibson told reporters on Wednesday.
"We won in Bangladesh. We got beaten in India but the brand of cricket that we played, there were occasions that we dominated India in India which has not happened for a very long time.
"We've just had a fantastic one-day and Twenty20 series against them, one that we look back now and believe we should have won. Everybody's full of confidence."
On the streets of the Caribbean, there's a hope the team's slump from all-conquering worldbeaters to the eighth-ranked team in the world is at an end, with expectations for a competitive outing at least against Australia.
"There's an air of confidence as well when you walk around the streets of the Caribbean at the moment where, two years ago or probably even 12 months ago, the average man in the street was not so enthusiastic about the performances of the team," Gibson said.
"In the last month or so, there's a lot being said and there's an energy that I can remember as a child growing up.
"People are starting to want to watch the team again and it's because the team is starting to be competitive."
Australia began the longer-form portion of their tour with a comprehensive eight-wicket win in a tour match against a WICB President's XI in Barbados on Wednesday.
Gibson believes his opponents will have gained something from the game but he felt the match was far from a barometer of how the Test will play out.
"The Aussies are renowned for their meticulous preparation and I'm sure they would have gotten something out of it even though it finished in two-and-a-half days," he said.
"The fact it finished in two days and not many players had long knocks, I don't read too much into it to be honest."
Im working tomorrow and Monday
this sort of stuff is exactly why housewife has become my dream job. I cannot think of an objectively better job.But have most of the 2nd test off in annual leave
West Indies v Australia, 1st Test, Bridgetown
New teams seek proof of progress..
The Preview by Daniel Brettig in Bridgetown
April 6, 2012
Match facts
March April 7-11, Kensington Oval
Start time 1000 (1400 GMT)
Big Picture
When these sides last met, in Australia in 2009, they played out a series of drama, tension and bracing cricket - if the usual home hiding of an under-prepared opponent at the Gabba is taken out of the equation. At the centre of it all was Chris Gayle, then West Indies captain and the Man of the Series after a considered 165 in Adelaide was followed by the most blistering century in Perth. It is a neat summation of the changes wrought in both sides since that Gayle is no longer there, replaced as captain by the effervescent Darren Sammy, while Ricky Ponting has ceded his leadership to the extremely capable hands of Michael Clarke.
Neither Australia or West Indies were destined for great things beyond their 2009 meeting, the hosts going on to be humbled during the next Ashes series, while the visitors spluttered through what has become a long-running cycle of defeats and political recriminations. Those results hastened the aforementioned changes in leadership, and also fostered new support staff and stronger cultures in each side. Australia's performance has improved markedly since the day the Argus review into team performance was handed down, while under Sammy and the coach Ottis Gibson, West Indies are developing a side that may soon be capable of sustained presence.
In Bridgetown they will stare each other down on a surface that will only have a modicum of the pace traditionally on offer. It will be a matter of whether Australia's adjustment to foreign climes can provide enough of a window for a home side that has talent but is still developing the perseverance and consistency required to last five days. The top three batsmen on both sides will be sternly examined by sturdy bowling attacks: Ed Cowan, David Warner and Shane Watson seeking to establish themselves in much the same manner as Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards.
Australian eyes are also on the world rankings, as a strong series victory here will push them closer to the top of the ICC table, having dipped as low as fifth following the Ashes. West Indies by contrast are chasing history, a first Test win over Australia in nine years, a first series win in 19. The consistency and professionalism sought by both sides will either gather strength and vitality at Kensington Oval, or be cowed by a sobering reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done.
Darren Bravo's Indian dominance has given way to scratchy form at home © AFP
Form guide
(Most recent first)
West Indies DLLWD
Australia WWWWL
In the spotlight
Darren Bravo's velvety strokeplay made him the talk of India and much of world cricket late in 2011, derived as it was from the example of his batting forebear Brian Lara. However those innings receded into the distance during the ODI and Twenty20 series against Australia, in which Bravo did not pass 25 in six innings before being dropped for the final T20. Returning to regional cricket, he made only 13 and 7 for Trinidad & Tobago against Barbados, and looked scratchy in the nets at Bridgetown. Much of West Indies' hope for the series rests on the ability of this young batsman to assert himself, and he must find the confidence within to do so against well-drilled opponents.
Shane Watson begins the third phase of his Test career as a No. 3 batsman, having previously played in the middle order then found some success as an opener. Since he was cut down by hamstring and calf injuries at the outset of the home summer, Watson has been usurped at the top of the order by David Warner and Ed Cowan, leaving him to replace Shaun Marsh at one down following the West Australian's dire India series. How Watson's shrewd bowling fits back into a bowling attack that operated happily enough with only four practitioners at home will be a source of fascination, as will his contribution to the guidance and leadership of Clarke's team.
Team news
Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach are duelling for the final pace bowling spot in what is expected to be a four-man bowling attack. Roach made his name with fiery spells to Ricky Ponting in the two teams' last series in Australia in 2009, while in 2008 Edwards claimed eight wickets for the match against Ponting's team in Bridgetown. The recalled Narsingh Deonarine replaces an IPL-tied Marlon Samuels at No. 6.
West Indies (possible) 1 Adrian Barath, 2 Kraigg Brathwaite, 3 Kirk Edwards, 4 Darren Bravo, 5 Kieran Powell, 6 Narsingh Deonarine, 7 Carlton Baugh (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Ravi Rampaul, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Devendra Bishoo.
A race between Ryan Harris and James Pattinson for the third pace bowler's berth is the only major question for the Australian selectors on tour. Both bowled well in the warm-up against the WICB President's XI, Pattinson having a little less cricket behind him following a buttock strain. Watson returns for his first Test since South Africa last November, while Matthew Wade will debut.
Australia (possible) 1 Ed Cowan, 2 David Warner, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Peter Siddle, 9 Ryan Harris/James Pattinson, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Nathan Lyon.
Pitch and conditions
There is little grass on the wicket unveiled for the first Test, and its appearance is similar to that used for the second Twenty20 match. Kensington pitches always offer the promise of some pace and bounce, but as it deteriorates there should be useful spin for Devendra Bishoo, Nathan Lyon and their part-time counterparts.
Stats and trivia
West Indies' last Test victory over Australia was the record chase of 418 to beat Steve Waugh's side in the fourth Test of the 2003 series in Antigua.
Only three members of the Australia squad - Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey - have played Tests in the Caribbean before.
West Indies have won four and Australia three of the 10 Tests the two teams have played at Kensington Oval, the last draw taking place in 1973.
Quotes
"In India, where teams don't go there and win, we went out and played and dominated India in two out of three Test matches. Over the last 12 months the team has shown signs of improvement and they've been fighting. We've just got to continue that. We have a group that believes they don't only compete but they could win games."
Darren Sammy
"No doubt we can take some confidence out of beating India 4-0 in Australia. The expectation, particularly in Australia, is to win in your own backyard and it was really nice that we could do that during the summer. But the hardest part of playing international sport is beating teams away from home in conditions you're not as used to different environment, different temperature, different culture, completely different cricket wickets."
Michael Clarke
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo.
Credibility the prize in Caribbean hunger games..
April 7, 2012
Glittering prizes then Australian captain Ricky Ponting, his players and the team's officials show off the Frank Worrell Trophy in Barbados in 2008. Photo: Getty Images
The countdown is on to a Test series featuring teams desperately trying to return to the top flight.
THERE was a time in the 1990s when the Frank Worrell Trophy could have doubled as the world championship of Test cricket - but those days are long gone.
For the first time in more than three decades, the Caribbean will host an Australia-West Indies series with neither team sitting at the top of the world game. Instead, both teams are at various stages of emerging from the doldrums.
A series whitewash at home against former world No.1 side India has lifted Australian spirits, though fewer than four months ago Michael Clarke's team were humbled by their rivals from across the ditch.
VICTORY IN THE WEST INDIES, 1995
The Australians appeal for the wicket of Brian Lara during the first Test in Barbados, 1995. Lara was given not out. Photo: Reuters
Australia are expected to win at home, as Clarke is at pains to point out, but winning on the road is the hallmark of a top side.
''No doubt as a playing group we can take some confidence out of beating India 4-0 in Australia but conditions are a lot different here,'' Clarke said. ''The expectation, particularly in Australia, is to win in your own backyard, and it was really nice that we could do that during the summer.
''The hardest part of playing international sport is beating teams away from home in conditions you're not as used to - different environment, different temperature, different culture, completely different cricket wickets.''
Winning abroad is crucial to Australia's medium-term aim of regaining the No.1 ranking within four years, as set by the Argus report in August.
The West Indies, starting from further back in the pack than Australia, have no deadline in place.
''If you're going to build something solid you've got to take your time to build it,'' said Richie Richardson, the hosts' team manager and the captain on whose watch the West Indies' unbeaten streak of 29 series victories ended in 1995.
''We want to get back to the top as soon as possible but you have to be patient. A lot of things have to be in place before that can happen. Who knows? If it happens in two years' time we'll be very happy, if it happens next year we'll be very happy, but we know it is a long process.''
The Windies have made significant progress in recent months. First on the subcontinent late last year when they not only competed with India but also outplayed them for long periods only to lose a three-match series 2-0. More recently, and perhaps of more relevance, the home side squared both the ODI and T20 series.
Their resilience in that campaign has not gone unnoticed by the Australian camp or by a great of yesteryear, Joel Garner, who, like several other former champions, now serves West Indies cricket off the field.
''Sir Frank [Worrell] would have been pleased with what he saw from the West Indies in the ODIs and the T20,'' Garner, the president of the Barbados Cricket Association, said at the launch of the series.
''Unlike other West Indians, he would encourage the team to keep fighting and battling hard. It's no secret that we've been through some hard and trying times that has brought some hurt to those who love it [West Indies cricket]. I hope this time things will turn.''
The traffic on Bridgetown's narrow streets clears when the Australian team bus, escorted by police cars with their lights flashing, is on the road. There will be no such charity on the field, Garner warned Clarke.
''What we're watching and what we're seeing from the fellas is that the fighting spirit is coming back and I hope that we have a very good, very successful Test series,'' Garner said.
Australian cricket has placed a greater premium on team culture since the induction of the new regime spearheaded by Pat Howard and John Inverarity, and so, too, have the West Indies, whose dressing room has been united by their affable skipper, Darren Sammy.
''The guys have made a conscious effort to fight for the West Indies; I don't want to take credit for that,'' Sammy said.
''We know what the fans expect. Even though we lose but if we lose fighting because in the transition period we have not won for a long time and everybody's just making that effort to go out there and represent the region well.''
How fruitful the Windies' campaign will be could depend on how they restrict Clarke. The Australian captain, who will mark his first anniversary in the job on Monday, has become his team's most dependable batsman and also the world's top-ranked Test batsman.
Clarke suffered the ignominy of having his stumps rattled by a net bowler on Thursday, albeit from a grubber, but so prolifically has he scored since becoming skipper that his lack of recent match practice, limited to just 71 minutes in the past month, is more an inconvenience than a worry.
''I felt like I hit the ball pretty sweet in the first innings,'' the 31-year-old said. ''Like all batsmen I would have liked to make some more runs, I'd like to still be batting now. Hopefully I've saved a few for this first Test match.''
Of more concern to Clarke is the need for his team to avoid the roller-coaster form of late last year, which produced a humiliating innings of 47 in Cape Town.
''We've played some really good cricket in patches,'' Clarke said. ''We played some cricket against New Zealand and South Africa that we'd really rather forget.
''As a team we're trying to become a little bit more consistent in our performances. This is going to be a tough Test for us but we're going to see where we're at in terms of consistency.''
