Date-stamped : 23 Mar95 - 14:34 Expectations high in Caribbean as the world`s best prepare to renew hostilities - E. W. Swanton THE seventh Australian team to the West Indies, under the cap- taincy of Mark Taylor, fly in to Barbados today to undertake a tour, comprising four Tests, five one-day internationals and the minimum of other cricket, which starts tomorrow and takes them into the first week of May. Not a moment to acclimatise, no time, as the great Walter Hagen demanded of another day in a bygone age, "to smell the flowers". For Taylor and his braves the daily round, the common tasks, has meant perpetual motion from the stress of a tour in Pakistan be- fore their own full home season, including the Ashes series and the mis-named World Series pyjama circus, then a quick flit to New Zealand, and now this crowning and most demanding of exer- tions against the doughtiest opponents of all. Eight months on the go. Here in the Caribbean, naturally, expectation is high as it al- ways has been where Australia are concerned since the series to end all series started with the tied Test at Brisbane and fin- ished with the motorcade through the thronged streets of Mel- bourne back in 1960-61. Those Tests, which touched the heights in skill and chivalry alike, inspired Wisden to present the Frank Worrell Trophy to perpetuate the name of one of the competing captains, the other being the redoubtable Richie Benaud. Since the institution of that trophy five Australian teams have visited West Indies and only one, led by Ian Chappell, went away with the spoils. Indeed eight Australia-West Indies series have been played, home and away, spread over 20 years since the West Indies were beaten in a full rubber by anyone. They have lost only a three-match affair in New Zealand in 1980. Such is today`s background. Yet neither side, I would suggest, has grounds for more than a decent measure of confidence, West Indies because they cannot rely as heretofore on a superfluity of sheer speed, Australia because on current evidence their two main bowlers after many months of toil may need stronger support than they are likely to get. Warne and McDermott surely hold the key to Australia`s chances Warne and McDermott surely hold the key to Australia`s chances. If they can stand up to the physical demands made of them, the quality of the Australian batting could turn the scales. Inevit- ably, Warne invited comparison with O`Reilly. As to this, I would say that whereas both have commanded unusual accuracy for wrist- spinners, Warne gives a uniquely strong tweak to the leg-break which he will turn on any wicket. O`Reilly`s strength and un- quenchable hostility were a perpetual menace, and he mostly had the advantage of a splendid fellow-craftsman in Grim- mett at the other end. None of their kind enjoys bowling to left-handers, and West In- dies have a rare crop of them. The duel between Lara and Warne is the most intriguing prospect in the battle. For purity and sim- plicity of method, the high backlift and long, straight swing of the bat, every aspiring cricketer should glue his eyes on Lara. Likewise when Australia bat let them note the easy footwork of Slater and Mark Waugh. West Indies, on paper, do not impress quite to the same degree as they did a decade ago. The series will decide whether Ambrose, who bowled well within himself in New Zealand, can reproduce, following his injury, the daunting fire that won him 33 wickets in Australia two years ago. The prime hero of the moment is Walsh, not so much for his continuing fine form as a fast bowler - though that is remarkable enough - but for the way in which in Richardson`s absence he has maintained to the full, with a weak- ened side, the team spirit which the latter has inculcated into the West Indies team since he took over in 1992. In this regard, this story, as told to me by the chief executive of the West Indies board, Steve Camacho, says it all. When he and the board president, Peter Short, asked Courtney Walsh whether there was anything he would like them to do before the tour of India last autumn, he said would they replace the spon- sors` logo on the team`s shirt above the heart with the West Indies crest because "that`s what we`re playing for". Other or- ganisations, in- cluding the English counties, might well take note. The board acknowledged Walsh`s outstanding performance as cap- tain, while Richardson was enjoying his sabbatical, by naming him as vice-captain to Richardson against Australia. They announced Andy Roberts, the great fast bowler (1973-83), as manager for this home series. For the tour of England following, however, Wes Hall will be sole manager with Roberts firmly designated as coach. I am assured that there is no danger of a repetition of the acri- mony that soured the last tour in 1990-91 What chance, I wonder, of the TCCB following a similar line at Lord`s next week? Team selection and management are far from be- ing the only items on the menu, but they are the most immediate ones. And, on the subject of English cricket, may I be allowed to congratulate Alan Wells, John Barclay and Philip Neale on the great success in all respects of the England A tour to India, and also Simon Hughes`s reporting thereof. Reverting to the West Indies-Australia series, I am assured that there is no danger of a repetition of the acrimony that soured the last tour in 1990-91. Australian discipline under Taylor is much improved. The referees will be Hanumant Singh, who made a hundred in his first Test against England in the 1960s, for the one-day games and, for the Tests, Majid Khan of Cambridge, Glamorgan and Pakistan fame. The circumstances of the so-called warm-up match on Sunday re- flect the current curse of fixture congestion. Barbados, who under the leadership of Courtney Browne and the coaching of Charlie Griffith have already won the Red Stripe Cup, are engaged tomorrow in the final of the Shell/Sandals one-day competition against the Leeward Island in Antigua. They are due on the 6am Sunday flight home in order to take the field at Kensington Oval against the Australians at 9.35. If, however, rain causes the final to run into a second day, Barbados 2nd XI will provide the opposition in preparation for the Aus- tralians` first one-day international here on Wednesday. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by phaedrus (phaedrus@minerva.cis.yale.edu)