Australia, with Steve Waugh back at the helm, left here on Monday for the West Indies needing victory in the four-Test series to reclaim the number one Test nation ranking.
In a quirk of the International Cricket Council’s rating system the South Africans hold the mantle despite a shellacking from the Australians in their last two Test tour encounters, but Waugh offered no excuses.
”Unless we win this series we will remain the number two side so there is a lot to play for,” Waugh said at Sydney airport.
”People expect us just to turn up and beat the West Indies — it is not going to be the case. It is a tough tour to be on, but enjoyable.”
Waugh admitted the number one ranking was something he mulled over throughout the Australian domestic season while leading New South Wales to both the first-class and one-day titles, but admitted he was probably the only one who had.
”I’ve thought about it a few times, I know the other guys probably haven’t as yet but once we get over to the West Indies that will be one of the motivating factors,” he said.
Waugh heads into the series in tremendous form after a great domestic season while left out of the Australian World Cup-winning team. The 37-year-old campaigner was keen to play the April-May Test series, while most teammates would more than likely be wanting to get away from cricket upon arrival in Jamaica.
Back home for only six days from South Africa, the one-day team has been on the road since last August. But Waugh doesn’t expect any excuses: ”They realise positions are hard to come by and once they you get in there you have got to
make the most of it.”
He said pacemen Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath would most likely be rested for the only warm-up game before the first Test in Guyana on April 10, but a near-Test line-up was likely to play in the opening game.
Fast bowler Jason Gillespie was expected to be fit for the first game while batsman Damien Martyn was remaining home to have a test on his injured finger later this week and, if passed, would head over to the Caribbean before the first Test.
Team vice-captain Ricky Ponting said tiredness would not be an issue once in the West Indies.
”We feel pretty good. The one-day side has had its last function today so the World Cup celebrations are all over and done with,” said Ponting, who led the World Cup team.
”As Stephen said we are looking forward to getting back and putting our white clothes on again and playing some very good Test cricket.”
Four years ago Australia drew 2-2 in the Caribbean as Brian Lara blasted three centuries to finish the series on an average of 91.
Australia’s 15-man tour squad (with ages, Test caps): Stephen Waugh (captain) 37/156, Ricky Ponting (vice-captain) 28/64, Andrew Bichel 32/11, Adam Gilchrist 31/39, Jason Gillespie 27/39, Matthew Hayden 31/32, Brad Hogg 32/1, Justin Langer 32/59, Brett Lee 26/27, Martin Love 28/2, Darren Lehmann 33/8, Stuart
MacGill 32/19, Damien Martyn 31/33, Glenn McGrath 33/91, Ashley Noffke 25/0. – Sapa-AFP