Unchange Australia Looks Improve T20 Record

Bridgetown: Australia have the perfect chance to improve a dreadful Twenty20 away record with a win in the second 20-over clash against the West Indies.

Not since their first ever T20 series - against New Zealand in 2005 - have Australia won an away series in the shortest format of the game.

Carrying a 1-0 lead after their eight-wicket win in the first game of the series, the clash on Saturday (AEDT) is as an excellent opportunity for George Bailey's team.

Shane Watson and Michael Hussey backed up a superb bowling display with half-centuries to help the tourists win the opening game.

In other promising signs for Australia, paceman James Pattinson bowled for the first time on the tour and finished with a tidy 0-21 from three overs as he prepares for the Test series.

Dan Christian (3-27) was the main wicket-taker in an even bowling display where Xavier Doherty - arguably the best of the bowlers this tour - went for 34 from his three.

Watson contributed with the ball before smashing an outstanding 69 off 43 balls, which featured six sixes.

The Windies, who had no genuine speedsters in the first T20, could name Fidel Edwards and Tino Best for the second encounter at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Darren Bravo has been released from the squad with the Windies hoping he can find form ahead of the three-Test series, with the left-hander likely to play for Trinidad and Tobago in a four-day match.

Danza Hyatt, a batting all-rounder, has been called up to replace him in the 13-man squad.

While his team's batting performance was under par, Kieron Pollard continued his domination of Australia in the first T20.

The hard-hitting all-rounder belted an unbeaten 54 off 26 balls, days after his century in the fourth one-day international between the teams.

The Barbados ground will also host the first Test - giving Australia a chance to see what conditions may be like for the opening five-day match.

Most of the Caribbean pitches have been slow and suited to spin, and Australia's last outing at the ground was their loss to England in the World Twenty20 final two years ago.

A series win against the West Indies would be good preparation for this year's T20 World Cup, where the teams have been drawn together - alongside Ireland - in Group B.

Pollard is seemingly all that is standing between Bailey's side and a drought-breaking T20 series win away from home.

Teams news

West Indies (from) Johnson Charles, Dwayne Smith, Nkrumah Bonner, Danza Hyatt, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy (capt), Carlton Baugh (wk), Fidel Edwards, Krishmar Santokie, Sunil Narine, Garey Mathurin, Marlon Samuels.

Australia have confirmed an unchanged side for the second T20.

Australia David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, George Bailey (capt), David Hussey, Matthew Wade (wk), Daniel Christian, Brett Lee, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

Pitch and conditions
This is the first match at Kensington Oval on this tour and the pitch is expected to be an excellent batting surface with some pace in it.

Stats and trivia

• Due to their schedule at the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010, Australia have played more Twenty20s (5) at Kensington Oval than West Indies (3)
• The toss can be important at this venue, with nine of the 12 T20s played there having been won by the team that batted first

Match facts
Friday March 30, 2012
Start time 1400 (1800 GMT)