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Kingstown: The first of five 50-over matches between the West Indies and Australia begins in Kingstown on Friday with the tourists seeking their sixth successive one-day international series victory.
Defeat to India in the 2011 ICC World Cup quarter-finals aside, Australia have not lost an ODI contest since going down 2-1 at home to Sri Lanka in November 2010.
Since then, they have recorded a home victory over England, before triumphing away to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa.
Most recently Australia came out on top in the triangular home series against India and Sri Lanka, recording a thrilling 16-run win in the final at the Adelaide Oval.
During their streak of ODI dominance, Australian cricket has undergone some considerable changes.
Ricky Ponting has made way for Michael Clarke as captain at Test and 50-over level, and the veteran's one-day career appears to be over after he was dropped during the triangular series.
Clarke himself will miss the ODI matches in the West Indies as he continues to recover from a back injury, leaving Shane Watson to captain the team in his absence.
A reliable spinner has been uncovered in the form of Nathan Lyon, and he will be assisted by Xavier Doherty in the Caribbean.
Both slow bowlers could well be deployed at what is expected to be a dry pitch at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground.
As well as Lyon, a host of young batting and bowling talent has been blooded in recent months.
Relative newcomers Matthew Wade and David Warner opened at the top of the order in the triangular series final against Sri Lanka, and could retain their places for this week's curtain-raiser against the West Indies in St Vincent.
Wade must compete with Brad Haddin for the wicket-keeper's gloves after the veteran was recalled to the limited-overs squad.
Clint McKay, Daniel Christian and Peter Forrest have been rewarded for the part in the triangular series win with berths on the tour, although the latter has been included primarily as a member of the Twenty20 team.
Forrest's T20 captain George Bailey and paceman James Pattinson also received the nod.
With Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson not yet fit to play and Brad Haddin flying home from the tour, the tourists' options are limited. George Bailey will debut, while Shane Watson is a chance to return to opening while Matthew Wade drops down the order.
Standing in the tourist's path is a West Indies side which has only won once in their last six ODI series.
Defeat at home to South Africa in 2010 was followed by a loss in Sri Lanka, and home defeats to Pakistan and India.
The West Indies did manage to see off Bangladesh 2-1 away from home in October last year, but normal service was resumed with a 4-1 loss in India a month later.
The hosts are without regular vice-captain and ODI wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin due to a thumb injury, with Carlton Baugh taking his place.
Other missing regulars include an ill Ravi Rampaul, as well as Lendl Simmons and Adrian Barath, who both have finger injuries.
Dwayne Bravo will return from an ankle problem, and Tino Best is back in the ODI team after a two-year absence.
Fidel Edwards has been dropped by the West Indies selectors, who haven chosen to offer an opportunity to uncapped batsman Johnson Charles. Charles may debut at the top of the order, while the hosts must juggle a surfeit of allrounders with the possibility of a slow, turning surface.
The return of some familiar faces and the introduction of fresh talent may afford the West Indies a boost as they seek their first ODI home series win since beating Sri Lank in 2008.
And the West Indies can at least take some comfort from their impressive record in St Vincent - they have won 17 of 20 internationals at Arnos Vale, and their last three in succession.
But the hosts will be hard pressed to halt an in-form Australia team, one that has married its 50-over consistency to a considerable resurgence at Test level.
Teams from
West Indies DJG Sammy (captain), DJ Bravo, CS Baugh (wk), TL Best, D Bishoo, DM Bravo, J Charles, SP Narine, KA Pollard, KOA Powell, KAJ Roach, AD Russell, MN Samuels
Australia SR Watson (captain), MS Wade (wk), DA Warner, GJ Bailey, DT Christian, XJ Doherty, PJ Forrest, BW Hilfenhaus, DJ Hussey, MEK Hussey, B Lee, NM Lyon, CJ McKay, PM Nevill (wk), JL Pattinson
Pitch and conditions
Arnos Vale is known for producing a slowish pitch that can take turn, and early inspection of the surface by both sides suggested something similar for the series opener.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
Friday March 16, 2012
Start time 0930 local (1330 GMT)
