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West Indies' series-levelling victory over Australia on Tuesday has brought confidence back to the team, captain Brian Lara said.

``We've gained the confidence that we needed,'' he said.

West Indies formalised their ten-wicket victory early on the fourth day of the match at Sabina Park.

``That was something that we were lacking for the last five or six months in West Indies cricket.''

Worked really hard

The once-powerful West Indies had lost an unprecedented six straight Tests, including a 5-0 sweep in South Africa and a humiliating loss in the opening match in Trinidad where they were dismissed for 51, their lowest ever score in 71 years of Test cricket.

``We worked really hard; most importantly, we had to put that 51-runs total behind us,'' Lara said.

``We worked a lot mentally. We got the guys together and worked on their confidence and it really paid off in this particular match.''

The 29-year-old Lara, under pressure after being named captain for a probationary period of two Tests, is hopeful the victory can lead to a turnaround of his team's fortunes.

``Everyone is hurting and everyone wants to come together and see how best we can get out of the rut,'' Lara said. ``Today, I hope, is the start of better things to come.''

But he warned there was a lot to do.

``I would love this win to be the turning point, but I think we've got to be cautious when coming to the Australians.

``They are very capable of bouncing back and they are a team that is accustomed to winning. They're not going to let up easily.''

Lara, who went 15 Tests and almost two years without a century, answered with one of the best Test innings of all time, one that turned the game on its head after Australia had dominated the opening exchanges.

The Trinidadian left-hander, who holds the highest Test and first-class scores, made a breathtaking 213 which piloted the West Indies from 34 for four to 431 all out, a lead of 175 that proved to be match-winning.

``I think it can go down as the most important innings (of my career),'' Lara said. ``That second day was very important for West Indies cricket. We've been through a disastrous time.''