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Australia eager to hit back

St. George's (Grenada) May 29. Unburdened by the end of their 21-game winning streak, the Australians are looking to round off their Caribbean cricket tour with wins in the final two one-dayers here this weekend.

The West Indies halted the Aussies' all-conquering one-day run with a comprehensive 39-run victory in Port of Spain last Sunday to prevent the spectre of a seven-game whitewash against the powerful World Cup champion.

The Australians have already clinched the series with wins in the first four games, but are hell bent on picking up the baton and winning the last two matches after their unexpected loss last weekend.

Australia's foot-weary cricketers have been at it since last November and are looking to return home for a much-needed break before the July home Test and one-day series with Bangladesh, but pride dictates that they want to finish it off on an upswing.

The Australians have proved themselves superior to Brian Lara's team in the Test and one-day series and Ponting expects his players to hit back in the final two matches in Grenada.

The Australians will be looking to the continuing scoring form of Andrew Symonds and youngster Michael Clarke in the final matches.

Locals are hoping that young opening batsman Devon Smith will make the final eleven after missing out in Trinidad.

No Grenadian has played an international game at Grenada's National Stadium since it was opened four years ago.

The teams:

West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Ryan Hurley, Ridley Jacobs, Omari Banks, David Bernard, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Corey Collymore.

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Bevan, Ian Harvey, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Nathan Hauritz, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath. — AFP

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