Khan - File

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

WEST INDIES team manager Omar Khan said on Tuesday the West Indies team were maturing and he was expecting a good contest against world champions Australia.

The Aussies are in the Caribbean for a series of three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

"We are cognisant of the fact that we are coming up against the world champions, Australia. We know our position in the rankings and theirs and the players know what is expected of them in such a tough series," Khan told CMC Sports. "What I have noticed about the players is that they are maturing and this gives me confidence going into such a tough series. We would like to compete against Australia and build on what we started against Sri Lanka."

Intense training

The West Indies drew their two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-1 and won the one-day series 2-0 with one game abandoned.

The team is currently in camp in Antigua and, according to Khan, much had been achieved over the past few days.

"Since the camp began, the players have been put under intense training. They have done a lot of physicals and are now moving on to some work at the nets," Khan explained. "They understand that they need to be at their very best to compete against Australia and have accepted that."

On Monday, Khan conducted a team-building session and said the players had been receptive to the information.

"These guys have been very interactive in the sessions and this is good for team building. What we are trying to achieve is a strong, united bunch and we are well on our way to achieving that," Khan said.

Break camp

The West Indies team will break camp on Saturday, following a two-day warm-up match, also involving players from the Antigua Pro Team at the Stanford Cricket ground in Antigua.

They arrive in Jamaica on Sunday for the first Test which bowls off on May 22 at Sabina Park.