Aussies Look Series Win Against Windies

Trinidad: Australia will look to win their sixth Test in succession when they meet the West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad from Sunday.

The second Test of the three-match series starts on Sunday, with Michael Clarke's men hopeful of backing up their thrilling three-wicket win from the first Test in Barbados.

And Australia – who thumped India 4-0 in the domestic summer – are set to name an unchanged side for the match as they hope to continue their winning form.

That will mean James Pattinson is again likely to carry the drinks in the role of 12th man, with Ryan Harris' performance in the first Test making him untouchable.

Harris toiled away, taking five wickets on a flat pitch which made life difficult for the quicks, but it was perhaps his efforts with the bat that were more crucial.

The 32-year-old made a defiant 68 not out – his highest Test score – at the end of Australia's first innings, helping them to a total which allowed Clarke to make an attacking declaration despite being behind.

And it was Clarke's bold move that gave Australia the time they needed to chase 192 for victory on the final day.

Harris is confident with his body and is hopeful of making another big impact over the coming days.

Ben Hilfenhaus also took five wickets in the first Test, improving his return to 32 scalps from his last five appearances in the long form of the game.

At a superb average of 17.6 over that period, Australia have a pair of quicks in good form and capable of causing serious damage.

The performance of spinner Nathan Lyon – who snared match figures of 1-113 in the first Test – will be important for Australia.

And after failures in both his knocks on the tour so far, former skipper Ricky Ponting will be keen for some runs.

Off-spinner Shane Shillingford has been added to the West Indies squad for the match at Queen's Park Oval and may make his first Test appearance since November 2010.

His action was ruled illegal on that tour of Sri Lanka but time away to work on it has clearly paid dividends, given that he snared 38 wickets in five matches for the Windward Islands in domestic cricket this year.

Shillingford is the only change to the squad that played the first Test and were perhaps slightly unlucky to lose.

The likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul (103 not out), Kirk Edwards (61), Kraigg Brathwaite (57) and Darren Bravo (51) all impressed in the first innings, but it was their collapse in the second that will have captain Darren Sammy worried.

The fact that Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine are all playing in the Indian Premier League has weakened the West Indies squad and they might just pay the price against an in-form Aussie side.

Quicks Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach both bowled well in Barbados though, and could cause problems for the top order of their opponents.

Teams from

West Indies DJG Sammy (captain), KA Edwards, AB Barath, CS Baugh (wk), D Bishoo, KC Brathwaite, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, N Deonarine, FH Edwards, KOA Powell, R Rampaul, KAJ Roach, S Shillingford.

Australia MJ Clarke (captain), SR Watson, MA Beer, EJM Cowan, PJ Forrest, RJ Harris, BW Hilfenhaus, MEK Hussey, NM Lyon, PM Nevill (wk), JL Pattinson, RT Ponting, PM Siddle, MA Starc, MS Wade†, DA Warner.

Pitch and conditions
The Trinidad pitch was very dry on the day before the Test and is expected to provide significant assistance to the spinners. Rain is expected to affect every day of the Test.

Stats and trivia

• Shivnarine Chanderpaul needs 176 runs to become the second West Indian to reach 10,000 in Tests. Given that he averages 81.40 per innings in home Tests against Australia, it is not out of the question he could reach the milestone in this match.
• Of the five home venues at which West Indies have played the most Tests, their record is worst at Queen's Park Oval, where they have won only 18 of 57 Tests.

Match facts
April 15-19, 2012
Start time 10:00 local (14:00 GMT)