West Indies' Nikita Miller tosses a ball while bowling in the nets during a training session at Warner Park. - AP

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

THOROUGHLY outplayed in the first three matches, the West Indies are looking to salvage pride when they meet Australia in the fourth Digicel one-day international against Australia at Warner Park today.

With Australia confirmed winners of the five-match series, West Indies captain Chris Gayle wants his team to step up to the plate and give regional fans a lift.

"We've discussed the situation we are in. Everybody from the outside saw what is going on," Gayle told reporters after a practice session yesterday. "We are still playing for pride. We want to win these two games and give the fans something to cheer about. We are looking forward to it."

Flattered to deceive

After showing great fighting spirit in the three-match Test series which they lost 2-0, the West Indies flattered to deceive in the ODIs. They lost the first match by 84 runs at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St Vincent and went under by 63 runs and seven wickets in the matches at the Grenada National Stadium.

"We are making some simple mistakes. It cost us. We can take a leaf from Australia's book, the way they go about cricket. You have to give credit to them," Gayle said. "Players put their hands up to take their team home. It is something we have to take a serious look at. Our batting has been letting us down. We've been stressing on it. We're trying to find the solution to conquer it," he said.

After defeats in the first three matches, the selectors have made a few changes by omitting injured fast bowler Jerome Taylor, batsman Kieron Pollard, wicketkeeper Patrick Browne and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

They have also included pacer Kemar Roach, who played in the one-off Twenty20 international and the uncapped pair of left-handed batsman Shawn Findlay and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller from Jamaica.

"The discussion was that the selectors needed to look at a few players based on the Champions Trophy coming up in Pakistan," Gayle said. "It is also about trying to put pressure on other guys to perform. It is an opportunity. They need to come and stamp their authority."

With the series already lost, the West Indies are looking to end on a winning note. Some, however, feel it will be too little, too late.

"The victories might be hollow, but it will be something to cheer about," Gayle said. "People have asked for a victory on the streets. We will be working hard to give the fans something to cheer about."

The news from the Australia camp is that captain Ricky Ponting will sit it out because of an injured wrist. It will also allow Michael Clarke to captain Australia for the first time in an ODI, and it will also give David Hussey his debut at this level.

The teams

WEST INDIES - Chris Gayle (captain), Xavier Marshall, Ramnaresh Sarwan, André Fletcher, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Shawn Findlay, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach.

AUSTRALIA - Michael Clarke (captain), Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Luke Ronchi, Brett Lee, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark.