Windies face a daunting task against the Aussies

Johannesburg:

Smarting from their first match defeat against Pakistan, West Indies face an uphill task of shocking the mighty Australians if they have to keep their hopes alive in the Champions Trophy on Saturday.

Without their senior players, West Indies have so far been a second string team and if their first match result is anything to go by, they don't stand any chance against defending champions Australia.

Batting has been the major cause of worry for West Indies, who were bundled out for a paltry 133 against Pakistan and if they have to pose any challenge to the Australians, they will have to regroup their resources well.

However, the Caribbean team will take pride from the fact that they shot out half of the Pakistan side while defending the meagre total and the onus will be on pacer Gavin Tonge, who bagged four wickets in the first match, to give them the early breakthroughs.

Australia, on the other hand, are on a high after their 6-1 win in the just-concluded ODI series against England and they don't have much to bother about.

Apart from the last match, Australia dominated the whole series. Their batting mainstay Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey and skipper Ricky Ponting himself have been in peak form and they would hope to carry the momentum in the tournament.

Among the bowlers, pace spearhead Brett Lee is back in the squad and has been in ominous rhythm.

Lee has been the highest wicket-taker in the ODI series against England claiming 12 wickets from six matches, followed by Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, both bagging 10 scalps each from seven and six matches respectively.

All-rounder Cameron White have been the highest scorer for Australia, amassing 260 runs from seven matches. Even youngsters like Tim Paine and Callum Ferguson have been among runs and Ponting will hope they will make themselves counted in the tournament.

The only cause of worry for Ponting will be the injury of Nathan Bracken, who was ruled out of the tournament owing to a knee injury.

Australia: Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White, Brad Haddin.

West Indies: Floyd Reifer (C), Darren Sammy (VC), David Bernard, Tino Best, Royston Crandon, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Kevin McClean, Nikita Miller, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton, Daren Powell.

Match starts at 1 pm (IST).