Windies won't wilt against Aussies, says coach Williams

West Indian cricket team coach David Williams has warned the Australians that the visitors will not to wilt under pressure from the hosts this summer, even as former players Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee have come up with doomsday predictions.

The West Indies has declared they will not lose their composure if things turn awry during the series.

"It's all about believing in yourself. We've been in that position many times before, in a situation where we're under the gun," coach David Williams told The Sunday Age.

"The guys are experienced enough to know how to deal with it and try to come out of it. It's all about staying as calm as possible and doing what you do best, stick to your basics. Test match cricket is like that; it's a see-saw - the ones who maintain momentum for the longest time usually win," he added.

Warne has expressed concern about the competitiveness of the coming series, which starts on Thursday with the first Test at the Gabba and is unlikely to feature West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who remains in Jamaica with his ill mother.

"Let's just hope the West Indies surprise us. Obviously their form at the moment is pretty ordinary," Warne said yesterday.

Former Australian pacer Lillee said the Windies would struggle to keep pace with Ricky Ponting's side.

"I still think Australia is going to be far better than them. I've got a feeling it will be pretty much Australia's way, I've got to be honest," Lillee said.

West Indies batting great Brian Lara fears the squad would be divided over the player strike that threatened to destroy cricket in the region.

The future of the game in the Caribbean is far from solid, but a possible disaster of hosting a second-rate side was averted when the strike was halted last month.

Williams maintained there was no divide in his ranks.

"It's good to have the guys back together again and that is a positive start," Williams said. (ANI)

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