BRIDGETOWN: West Indies won the toss and chose to bat againstAustralia in the first Test match of the series at Kensington Oval on Saturday.
In the absence of Brad Haddin, wicket-keeper Matthew Wade makes his debut and he received his baggy green, handed over by Ricky Ponting, before the start of play.
It was the 428th to be presented to an Australian.
TheWest Indiesbrought Shivnarine Chanderpaul back into the side with Kieran Powell, who played inWest Indies' last Test match inIndiabeing left out.
Ravi Rampaul, who has only recently recovered from a bout of dengue fever and also a shoulder problem, was the other player to miss out from the squad of thirteen that had been named.
Australialeft out James Pattinson from their three man pace attack while Nathan Lyon continues as their front-line spinner. Vice-captain Shane Watson will bat at number three for the first time with David Warner and Ed Cowan opening the batting.
West Indiesare aiming for their first Test win againstAustraliafor 9 years and for their first series win over the visitors in 19 years.
Australia want to at least hold on to the Frank Worrell trophy and to take another step back towards the summit of the ICC Test rankings where they currently rank fourth with the same number of points, 111, as India while the West Indies, currently in 7th spot have set themselves a more modest initial aim of 5th.
Teams:
West Indies: Darren Sammy (capt), Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Narsingh Deonarine, Carlton Baugh, Fidel Edwards, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach.
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon.
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Tony Hill (NZ).
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ).
Third umpire: Marais Erasmus (SA).
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