Omar Khan

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)

West Indies will be looking to build on the momentum they gained during their recent series against Sri Lanka in the Caribbean, manager Omar Khan said yesterday.

Speaking to CMC Sports, Khan said the next few weeks would be critical for the team and could well determine how well they do against the Australians.

"The boys had a good series against Sri Lanka both in the Test and One-Day internationals and now they must understand that they need to build on this momentum," Khan said.

West Indies drew the two-match Test series 1-1, after going under in the first match in Guyana. The regional side also won the ensuing One-Day International series 2-0 with the final match being washed out.

"Against Sri Lanka, we saw intelligent cricket being played by the guys, and they were thinking out situations which was good for us. Now they have to understand that they need to build on this performance in order to get positive results against the world's number-one team Australia," Khan continued.

"With the current commitment shown by the players and with hard work leading up to the series, I am confident that we will have positive results against Australia."

Australia will begin their tour of the Caribbean on May 22 with the first Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica. Tests in Antigua and Barbados will follow afterward.

Khan gave the assurance that the four players currently playing in the Indian Premier League would be back in time for the Test series

"The four players will return home on May 18 and join the rest of the players in Jamaica," Khan noted.

"They have been informed of this and the International Cricket Council has laid out the rules concerning players' availability for their country."

Khan said the management team was currently working out details of a pre-tour camp scheduled to be held next month.