MUMBAI, Sept 8: Captain Brian Lara says the West Indies will use next week's triangular series in Malaysia as preparation for their Champions Trophy defence. The West Indies face world champions Australia and India in a three-way series from Tuesday before travelling to India for the Champions Trophy starting on Oct. 7.

“We will be coming up against two very good teams and I think we have to take things in stride,” Lara said of the series in Kuala Lumpur.

“I think the main focus at this time is to defend the ICC Champions Trophy,” he was quoted as saying on the West Indies Cricket Board's official website on Friday.

The defending champions will contest a four-way qualifier with Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to reach the last eight.

“We have got four games, maybe five if we reach the final in the three-nation series, but it is all going to be a lead-up to winning the ICC Champions Trophy — the one major trophy that we have won in recent years,” Lara said.—Reuters