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They will start level. But without Brian Lara.

And when James Clive Adams makes his debut as West Indies captain this morning in the fifth Cable and Wireless One-day International at the Bourda Oval, he will be attempting to put his side back in front by going back to basics.

The 31-year-old, vice-captain in the last three matches of this series, will go out to toss with Steve Waugh in this his 79th ODI because of the injury-enforced absence of Lara.

The incumbent WI captain was yesterday left out of today's 12-man squad because of what chairman of selectors Michael Findlay described as, ``a sore and painful'' hand.

The not expected announcement comes after four matches of a series in which Lara, with scores of 16, 9, 18 not out and 6, has never matched the form and focus with the bat that he displayed in the drawn Test series.

He has complained increasingly about the right wrist in which he suffered a chipped bone during the third match of the One-day series in South Africa in February.

And on the eve of last weekend's back-to-back matches at the Queen's Park Oval, Lara expressed the desire for a rest ahead of next month's World Cup tournament.

Yesterday, the captain, his wrist strapped heavily, almost in the manner of a cast, played no more than a peripheral role in practice.

There is no telling how news of Lara's absence will, if at all, affect the final turnout in this rain-friendly, cricket-starved town, denied regional and international matches this season because of it's notorious reputation for attracting precipitation.

But today, the Guyanese public will see Adams step onto the big stage and try to regain some lost ground for the Windies.

Twice already in this series, the homesters have edged ahead, only to see the Aussies claw back, with a little help from their hosts.

This was especially so in Sunday's Fourth ODI when, chasing a gettable 189, West Indies fell 20 runs short, suffering three run outs in the process.

It was slack cricket that prompted manager Clive Lloyd to stress how important it was to get the basics right.

``We've had quite a few near misses, even in the first game in Trinidad. Our running between the wickets has to improve,'' Lloyd said.

``For you to win a One-day game, you've got to do all the basic right. If you don't, you are going to run into trouble. You can't falter in two or three of the basics.''

Attempting to produce a more disciplined effort today will be a side that shows three changes from game four. Lara is replaced by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is still recovering from the flu. Hendy Bryan comes back in for Curtly Ambrose and Keith Arthurton, who missed the last game because of a shoulder injury, provides the side with another allrounder.

Off-spinner Nehemiah Perry, whose split nail on the right index finger has not proven to be very serious, is rested.

Lara's absence means that Adams will carry both the burden of field marshall and main run-getter. It will be interesting to see whether the burden of captaincy will inhibit the flourishing strokeplay that has already brought Adams 179 runs at an average of 44.75.

He will certainly need more support from productive opener Sherwin Campbell at the top (185 runs, ave. 46.25), Carl Hooper in the middle and solid Phil Simmons lower down.

Adams' dual success will be vital if the Windies are not to pay further for the lapse at Port of Spain. Australian captain Steve Waugh however, will be smelling blood.

Excellent cricket from batsman Darren Lehmann and Michael Bevan in game two in Grenada and Bevan and vice-captain Shane Warne in game four in T&T, have kept the Aussies in the series.

But their batting will have to be more consistent if Waugh's men are to go in front for the first time this rubber.

The bowling attack, carried admirably by fast medium Damien Fleming and leg-spinner Warne, will again be without Glenn McGrath whose only game so far was end prematurely by a sprained ankle.

McGrath will be the least of Adams' concerns though. He will be thinking like Lloyd that, ``the fellows will have to re-focus and try and win this one. Because if we don't, we'll have to win both in Barbados to clinch the trophy.''

Teams

West Indies: Jimmy Adams (Capt), Sherwin Campbell, Ridley Jacobs, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Phil Simmons, Keith Arthurton, Stuart Williams, Mervyn Dillon, Hendy Bryan, Courtney Walsh. (12th man Reon King)

Australia from: Steve Waugh (Capt), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Shane Lee, Tom Moody, Brendon Julian, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Damien Martyn, Paul Rieffel.