Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport

West Indies skipper Chris Gayle examines his bat during practise at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, yesterday. The West Indies and Australia will square off in the third and final Test in the Digicel Series, which starts today at Kensington Oval. - Dellmar photo

Buoyed by the return of skipper Chris Gayle, the West Indies will today seek to emphasise their gradual but noticeable improve-ment on the Test stage when they tackle Australia in the third and final Digicel Test at Kensington Oval.

The coveted Sir Frank Worrell Trophy remains in the visitors' hands after the tourists snared a hard-fought victory at Sabina Park and then drew a bat-dominated match in soggy Antigua.

However, any West Indian rise in the world rankings from their lowly placing of eighth will not be based upon silverware, just yet, but effort and performance. They stunned South Africa last year before going down 1-2 and then, on home turf, fought back to draw a series with Sri Lanka, 1-1.

Little steps, indeed, but a win over the reigning world champions in this dead rubber for a 1-1 stalemate would be a major stride forward in this young team's development and resurgence.

Gayle, who missed the first two Tests with a groin injury, yesterday said at a post-training press conference at the ground that he's ready to go; if not exactly 100 per cent.

"I am about 90 per cent but I can cope," Gayle said. "In Antigua I was about 70 per cent and did not want to risk it in the second Test.

"I gave it a bit more between the Test matches and I am feeling better now. The most difficult thing is running between wickets, but I am comfortable batting, I just have to monitor it properly."

Gayle will return to his natural opening position and will most likely be partnered by fellow Jamaican Xavier Marshall, who impressed on Test debut with a half century against the Aussies in the first innings in Antigua.

Another recovered opener, Sewnarine Chattergoon, is also available and the young Guyanese could replace inconsistent Runako Morton at the No. 4 spot in the batting line-up - between in-form compatriots Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Bowling attack

The bowling attack, which performed well at Sabina before being subjected to purgatory on the dead Sir Vivian Richards Stadium track, appears unlikely to change, according to Gayle, who will also roll over his arm with his steady offspin.

"I will definitely bowl a few (overs), that's one change so far, but based on the pitch, which looks like a pretty decent track, and how well the bowlers did in Jamaica, I'd give them a go again on this sort of wicket," he said.

That, again, leaves tall, left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn on the sidelines and an attack of five right-arm seamers, plus Gayle. If Benn couldn't get a game in Antigua, it's hard to see him earning a berth here on a hard pitch which should provide good pace and bounce for the quicks.

Best formula

"We want to come up with the best formula for this important game because we want to finish this series on a high," Gayle said of the to-be-decided final West Indian XI.

The Aussies will make one change to their side with 'Chinaman' bowler Beau Casson replacing retired New South Wales teammate Stuart MacGill in the starting XI.

Opener Simon Katich has recovered from bruised ribs, while new 'keeper Brad Haddin will soldier on behind the stumps with a broken finger.

The Australian line-up will be anchored by skipper Ricky Ponting, vice-captain Michael Clarke and hard-hitting middle-order batsman Andrew Symonds, but they could be tested on this pitch by the likes of Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell and Dwayne Bravo.

In response, the Australians will be banking on the two-man show of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, which saw them to the decisive first Test victory in Kingston.

A storm front closed in on Barbados last night and was expected to affect some of today's play, but, given the expected nature of the pitch, which will see the ball come on to the bat but also - finally, offer something to the pacemen, the Windies might just have a little more in their arsenal and could just shock the Aussies and take another step forward.

Teams

West Indies (probable): Chris Gayle (capt.), Xavier Marshall, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Shivnarine Chan-derpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards, Daren Powell.

Australia (probable): Simon Katich, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (capt.), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Beau Casson.