Firing hosts take on top-ranked Australia

Match facts

Sunday, June 5, 2016 Start time: 1300 local (1700 GMT)

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There are three teams in this triangular series after all. Hosts West Indies made an early statement of intent, showing they are not just there to make up the numbers, with a victory over South Africa in their opener. Now they have to take on the bigger boys.

Australia saunter into this series as the top-ranked ODI side and laden with superstars, many of whom are returning from injury. Mitchell Starc headlines the list, having recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of the game for six months. Captain Steven Smith (wrist), Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh (both side strain), all pulled out of the IPL with niggles but have traveled to the Caribbean for this event.

Australia could have opted to leave some of them out, as South Africa have done with Dale Steyn and West Indies with Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, but Australians don’t do things in half measures. Even though this series may not be top priority for a team that has a busy few months, they’re taking it seriously and remain the favourites to walk away winners.

For West Indies, who already have points on the board, sustaining momentum will be their next aim. They had not played ODI cricket since November 2015 before their win over South Africa and are still finding their rhythm in the format. At Providence, that rhythm needs to be slow and calculating, something West Indies are not always known for, but which they will need to keep doing.

Form guide

West Indies WLLLL (last five completed games most recent first)Australia …

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