The stand in Captain of Australia, Shane Watson was anticipating victory in the forthcoming limited overs series against West Indies.
Watson got the honours to lead the side in the absence of their regular Captain, Michael Clarke who is recovering from his hamstring injury sustained during the Commonwealth Bank Tri series involving India and Sri Lanka.
The Kangaroos visited West Indies in June – July, 2008, played five ODIs on the trip, went on to clean sweep 5-0 and most of their triumphs achieved were with a vast margin. The biggest win in the series was the fifth and final match played on July6, 2008 at Warner Park, Basseterre, which the visitors won by a huge margin of 169 runs.
The Aussies arrived in St Vincent after a long journey and will carry on with the net practice with familiarisation with the local weather conditions before the start of the limited overs series. Shane Watson was composed that his side was well balanced and will prove positive results. He said,
“We are always confident. We know that if we are at the top of our game, we are going to be very hard to beat. Right now, the most important thing is to make sure we have recovered from our long flight and make the best of the next couple of days to make sure we are ready to go for the first match.”
Australia has won the Commonwealth Bank series 2011-12 while clinching two out of three finals against Sri Lanka. The first final was played at Brisbane Cricket Ground on March 4, 2012 which the home side won by 15 runs. The Lankan Lions came back strongly in the second final at Adelaide Oval on March 8, 2012 while beating the Kangaroos with a commendable difference of eight wickets. The third final was held at Adelaide Oval on March 8, 2012 and the home side won by 16 runs and lifted the trophy.
The Aussies played 11 matches, won six and lost five and their team performed well throughout the series. David Warner was in great form, thrashed 506 runs at an average of 46.00, the best of 163 with two centuries and one fifty. David Hussey punched 439 at an excellent average of 54.87 with five fifties and Matthew Wade also in good nick by smashing 341.
Clint Mckay was their star performer with the ball by grabbing 15 wickets at a super average of 19.40 runs per wicket with the best of 5 for 28. Daniel Christian collected 13 wickets which included a hat-trick in the 44th over of the Islander’s innings in the 12th match played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March2, 2012 and Brett Lee chipped in with 12 wickets.
Shane Watson promised to play absorbing cricket which will be appreciated by the local cricket lovers since Australians were in excellent form. He further commented,
“Hopefully, we can produce some very good cricket for the fans over here. We have just come off a very big series in Australia, and hopefully, we can continue the form that we showed and bring it in the games against West Indies.”
The Aussies will play five ODIs, two Twenty 20s followed by three Tests which will be interesting to watch. The first ODI of the series will be played on March 16. 2012 at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent and Watson was optimistic to win the series.
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