… First Test starts tomorrow at Kensington Oval
A LOT of people have been surprised at the spirit the West Indies displayed during the hard-fought one-day and Twenty20 series. I haven’t.
They have really taken it up to us. Their willingness to compete has been highlighted by some brilliant fielding. This shows that our attitude must be spot on during the three-Test series, beginning in Barbados tomorrow, says Australia’s skipper Michael Clarke..
Many in our touring party have never played Test cricket in the West Indies, which is why our preparation is so important.
The hardest thing about international cricket is to succeed away from home in different conditions and cultures.
Only the best sides have been able to achieve that consistently and to regain the No.1 Test ranking we must find a way of performing everywhere all the time.
We may be coming off a long summer but that is no excuse for anyone who pulls on the baggy green cap
I have reinforced to everyone that the only way to succeed on these unforgiving pitches is being willing and able to take the long haul across five days.
Making runs will require patience against a top-quality pace attack and some unusual spin.
Taking wickets will involve a lot of hard work from bowlers who must be prepared for long spells with, at times, little reward.
Chances will be particularly valuable so catches must be taken.
The wickets in the West Indies are significantly slower than those in Australia so all of us have important adjustments to make, which is why the three-day tour match has been so important.
Barbados is usually the fastest of the West Indian wickets so tradition says we will play three fast bowlers and spinner Nathan Lyon, but that will depend on what the Barbados pitch presents.
There is a very real possibility we could play second spinner Michael Beer at some stage during the series. The question this week is likely to be how do we get five fast bowlers into three places?
Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc all performed strongly at various stages over the summer and can mount a case to be included.
After some strong performances in the one-day team Matthew Wade will become the 11th player to make his Test debut since I have been leading the side.
He is a top quality cricketer who has a big future in the Australian team but it is unfortunate his opportunity will come due to the absence of Brad Haddin for difficult family reasons.
We have all been in touch with Brad to wish him well and let him know we’re thinking of him from the other side of the world.
Since replacing Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps Brad has become an important member of the team and a leader around the group.
I have played cricket with him since I was 18 and it doesn’t seem right not having him here.
Brad remains our incumbent Test ’keeper and will be welcomed back into the side whenever he is available again.