KINGSTON (St. Vincent), June 23: World champions Australia hope that some fresh faces, fresh legs, and a different format will help them dominate their five-match One-day International series against West Indies, starting on Tuesday at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex here.

Although Australia won the preceding three-Test series 2-0, West Indies were far more competitive than expected, and gave strong evidence that they may be turning the corner on their wretched status in international cricket.

Australia have been boosted for the series by the arrival of a half-dozen limited-overs specialists whom they hope will carry them over the top. They are Nathan Bracken, James Hopes, David Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, and Cameron White.

The six have arrived at a crucial time for Australia with Andrew Symonds nursing a sore back, Brad Haddin recuperating from a broken finger, and Brett Lee still trying to overcome his exertions on unforgiving pitches in the Test series.

They could all expect to feature in the first ODI as Australia start to shop around for players to defend the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be contested in September in Pakistan.

Australia will also be mindful of giving the players as much opportunities as possibble in a period when their side is going through a transition. They will want to make it as seamless as possible and avoid the pitfalls of other sides around the world, most notably their hosts.

West Indies will be looking to play as competitively as they did during the Tests, and give further proof that they are truly beginning to “turn the corner”.

Their feisty performance in the Tests, and a comfortable win in the badly rain-affected Twenty20 International last Friday have boosted West Indies’confidence.

But if they are to win, they will have to grasp every opportunity they receive which is where they will admit they failed in the Test matches.

They will be at full strength for the series, and they too, have added a few new faces which could fortify them in some of their vulnerable areas.

Xavier Marshall appears to have cemented his place in the opening slot following his assault on the Aussie bowlers in the Twenty20 International, Andre Fletcher is a highly regarded top-order batsman, Kieron Pollard is notorious for his big hitting in domestic cricket.

Squads:

WEST INDIES: Chris Gayle (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-captain), Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Patrick Browne, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor.

AUSTRALIA: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

UMPIRES: Billy Doctrove, Asad Rauf, TV Replays: Goaland Greaves, Reserve: Vincent Bullen.

MATCH REFEREE: Roshan Mahanama.—AFP