The Caribbean side won by 10 wickets in 1997 on the back of a magnificent century from Brian Lara, coincidentally in Perth, but 25 years have passed since then, and have not managed to record a victory on Australian soil.
Accordingly, the West Indies team is going to play two Test matches against Australia. Ahead of the two-match series, an interview with the Lara Herald Sun asked the West Indies players to put up a good fight.
“I am not going to say that if we play at our best, we can beat Australia, but I want us to show resilience.”
“Get the games going five days. You never know. I have in the back of my mind the thought that these youngsters are up for a fight.”
West Indies captain Craig Brathwaite said history is not focused on results and the only aim is to make the Caribbean people proud.
“Obviously, past history shows it’s a long time since getting wins in Australia and stuff, but we are focusing on our own goals.”
“What is the big focus is that we have 10 days of Test cricket, and we want to be playing a good, solid 10 days of Test cricket. We just want to make people in the Caribbean proud.”
Lara, who commented further, said that 26-year-old Alzarri Joseph will be a big threat to Australia.
“I believe Joseph is going to be special, and Australia is going to know a lot more about him by the end of the series.”
Brathwaite and his team will need to tame one of the most potent pace attacks in the world, led by Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, as well as the spin of Nathan Lyon.
“Definitely not taking any teams lightly. We know what the West Indies can serve up at their best.” Starc said.
Despite their poor record in Australia in the 2022 World Twenty20, West Indies will take confidence from winning both the Test series they have played this year – against England and Bangladesh at home.
But they will have to do their best to upend Australia’s star-studded side, who are ahead of India in the Test rankings along with the West Indies.
Former captain Greg Chappell predicted at the weekend that Smith would “make a mountain of runs this summer.”
In Australia’s recent one-day series against England, where he scored 94 and not out on 80, the main threat could come from Steve Smith, who has reverted to a more traditional style of batting.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas