The West Indies selectors have come up with some surprises, and maybe a few topics for debate, ahead of the forthcoming tour of Australia.

The last tour to the United Kingdom was perhaps the poorest showing yet by any West Indies side in recent years, and that includes the drubbings taken in Pakistan, 3-0 (1997-8), South Africa, 5-0 (1998-9) and New Zealand, 3-0 (1999-2000).

However, I will say this. I have a gut feeling the West Indies will do much better than many people expect, despite the fact that Australia are such an efficient cricket team. I do not think the Australians will have everything their own way and the West Indies can only go up from their present position in international cricket.

In come fast bowlers Merv Dillon and Marlon Black of Trinidad & Tobago, Kerry Jeremy of Antigua & Barbuda, and Colin Stuart of Guyana. With the venerable 38 year-old Jamaican Courtney Walsh, and Vincentian Nixon McLean also included, the team has a definite fast bowling bias geared specifically to the quicker, bouncier pitches of Australia.

Guyana's right arm leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo will be the lone purveyor of the slow stuff. No other spinner in the Caribbean even merits a mention, much less a selection.

Having spoken to the West Indies selectors, it was obvious that most, if not all, were very "sweet" on Black and Stuart. They are as quick as any available in the West Indies now.

For Stuart especially, who missed two possible opportunities in the past because of injury to his back and arm, this is a good achievement. Black, like Dillon, has become stronger, fitter, faster. Also, it was actually suggested by one of the selectors that these younger bowlers would "cover" for Walsh, whom, we assume, will probably only play Tests on the tour.

However, I am not sure the 20 year-old Jeremy, for all of his enthusiasm, has reached Test level yet. In his favour, he has performed well at the next level down, "A" team and West Indies President's and Board XI's. However, he is not nearly the type of fast bowler West Indians are renowned for, being on the slowish side. Who knows, he may surprise us too.

Also reselected are Daren Ganga, the Trinidad & Tobago opening batsman, and Barbados' Courtney Browne, who will be deputy to Antigua & Barbuda's captain and wicket-keeper, Ridley Jacobs.

While Jacobs, at 33, is getting long in the tooth, and it showed towards the end of the English summer, I believe taking another 30 year-old wicket-keeper is not the way to go. It makes no sense, since, sooner, rather than later, both will be leaving the scene more or less at the same time.

Ganga is perhaps the most correct batsman in the Caribbean, Sarwan notwithstanding. His selection, was easy, since Adrian Griffith was poor in England. Strangely, the tourists only have two "real" openers in Ganga and Sherwin Campbell.

Jimmy Adams has been retained as captain, with Campbell as his deputy. These two, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Wavell Hinds and, of course, Brian Lara, will be expected to carry the team's batting. Lara and Chanderpaul are coming off injuries.

Indeed, Lara has suggested that he is still incapacitated, with an eye ailment. Chanderpaul, in the meantime, must endeavour to have both his body and mind ready for the fray Down Under. These two must be continually successful if the West Indies are to stand any chance in Australia.

Reputations do not make runs. Ability, form, determination and readiness do.

Sarwan and Campbell are, more or less, in the same category. While Sarwan is very much less experienced, they both take their responsibilities very seriously. But they must remember that half centuries are sometimes inadequate. Getting a half-century is normally the hardest part of an innings, so centuries should also be achieved.

Campbell's continued success at the top of the order will also be necessary for the West Indies to get anywhere. Sarwan, who has been getting rave reviews from the Australian Cricket Academy, will quickly find out that Australian cricketers contrive to make life as difficult as possible, no matter what or who.

Wavell Hinds must quickly regain the confidence that he lost so drastically in England. He too must act, think and be the adult sportsman he is, not the "prima donna" someone must have told him he is.

Adams, as captain, needs to be more aggressive, and imaginative. His present batting needs some character too. Both aspects of his game looked bedraggled and confused in England. He should remember that Australians take no prisoners. At least, like me, he is very confident the team will hold its own.

It will be tough for the West Indies especially as Australia, gunning for their 12th consecutive Test win, will be going out with guns, and cricketers, blazing. But I still believe the West Indies will surprise many and do much better than most expect.

In the meantime, the West Indies are going through a one week preparation camp, featuring greats, former fast bowler Andy Roberts and opening batsman Gordon Greenidge, in Jamaica. They will need all the help they can get to be ready for this fray, or they will be blown away.

This tour will certainly separate the men from the boys

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