MELBOURNE, Jan 12: West Indies fast bowler Reon King says world champions Australia will be intimidating, yet beat able, in the triangular one-day series which starts in Melbourne on Friday.

King, who has fought his way back into the side for the first time since 2001, believes the work ethic of new coach Bennett King has made a big impact on captain Brian Lara's team.

"Obviously they (Australia) play good cricket so you have to try to match that, and even play better than that," King told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

"They are intimidating. Their batters are up front and their bowlers are Glenn McGrath and company," added the 29-year-old King, who has 48 one-day international caps. "But if you do the basics well, I think they are beat able."

King, from Guyana, took five wickets in two limited-overs matches against Australia A in Hobart last weekend. "It's good to be back in the West Indies team. The hard work has paid off," he said.

"The difference between Bennett's work ethic and what we have in the Caribbean is much needed. We need a work ethic in the Caribbean when it comes to our cricket." Australia follow up Friday's game with a match against Pakistan in Hobart on Sunday.

West Indies, who enjoyed a three-month break after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in England in September, have played three warm-up games in Australia. The tourists lost to Victoria by seven wickets in Melbourne on Jan 5.

Lara then made 116 not out to lead his side to a four-wicket victory over Australia A on Jan 8. But with the skipper resting, West Indies lost by 51 runs to the same opposition the following day. -Reuters