The West Indies, largely disappointing since they were eased off the throne in 1995 after 19 years with only one defeat and a 15-year unblemished rule, take on Australia, starting in Brisbane on Wednesday evening (local time), in a three-match series, and the hope of many, all around the world, the dream of many, and especially so West Indians, is that this contest will mark the beginning of a glorious renaissance.

Remembering that Australia's 5-1 victory in 1975-76 is credited as the embarrassment which inspired Clive Lloyd's team to the greatness that followed, and that it was the same Australia who succeeded the West Indies to the throne 14 years ago, victory by the West Indies would be a fitting result, and especially so if it really leads to the long-awaited revival.

And according to the top three in the West Indies squad, to manager Joel Garner, coach David Williams, and captain Christopher Gayle, although the odds may be against it, victory is possible.

Based on the inexperience of so many of the players, based on the stats, and based on the hot and cold performance in recent years, especially so if Gayle does not make it back for the first Test match and more so if he does make it back at all, it all seems like wishful thinking.

They could be right, however, and especially so if Gayle is available throughout the contest.

undisputed kings

Like the West Indies going into the final days of their reign, Australia are not as strong as they were when they were the undisputed kings of the world, and because of that they are ripe for the plucking, especially so with fast bowler Brett Lee injured and out of the action.

Although they are not as strong as they were up to a year or so ago when they were still the unchallenged champions of the world, Australia are not as weak as the West Indies have been since they lost their crown. In fact, Australia remain quite strong, so strong that hope or no hope, dream or no dream, the experience and the statistics of their players, and certainly so in comparison to those of the West Indies, suggest not only that, Gayle or no Gayle, the odds are in favour of victory for Australia, but also that Australia will win, and easily at that.

Their squad of batsmen, for example, include the likes of Ricky Ponting - the 34-year-old right-hander with 136 matches, 38 centuries, and an average of 55.88; Michael Clarke - the 28-year-old right-hander with 52 matches, 12 centuries, and average of 49.35; Michael Hussey - the 34-year-old left-hander with 42 matches, 10 centuries, and an average of 52.65; Simon Katich - the 34-year-old left-hander with 43 matches, eight centuries, and an average of 43.33; James North - the 30-year-old left-hander with seven matches, three centuries, and an average of 47.90; and Philip Hughes - the 20-year-old left-hander with five matches, two centuries (in the same Test), and an average of 52.44.

bowlers

As far as the bowlers are concerned, the Aussies possess the likes of Mitchell Johnson - the 28-year-old left-handed pacer with 26 matches and 114 wickets at an average of 28.80; Peter Siddle - the 24-year-old pacer with 12 matches and 48 wickets at an average of 28.93; Ben Hilfenhaus - the 26-year-old swing bowler with eight matches and 29 wickets at an average of 33.44; Stuart Clark - the 34-year-old pacer with 24 matches and 94 with at an average of 23.86; and Nathan Hauritz - the 28-year-old off-spinner with seven matches and 24 wickets at an average of 32.20.

On top of that, the Aussies parade not only Brad Haddin - a 32-year-old wicketkeeper with two centuries and a batting average of 39.30, but also a hard-hitting pace bowling all-rounder opening batsman in 28 year-old Shane Watson, who has played in 11 matches for a batting average of 27.61.

Against that, the West Indies line-up of batsmen includes the likes the 30-year-old left-hander Gayle - 82 matches, 10 centuries, and an average of 39.58; Shivnarine Chanderpaul - the 35-year-old left-hander with 121 matches, 21 centuries, and an average of 49.28; Ramnaresh Sarwan - the 29-year-old right-hander with 81 matches, 15 centuries, and an average of 42.32; Brendan Nash - the 31-year-old left-hander with nine matches, one century, and an average of 38.23; Dwayne Bravo - the 26-year-old right-hander with 31 matches, two centuries, and an average of 32.73; Narsingh Deonarine - the 26-year-old right-hander with four matches and an average of 21.40; Travis Dowlin - the 32-year-old right-hander with two matches against Bangladesh and an average of 46.25; and Adrian Barath - the 20-year-old right-hander who is still to play a Test match.

The West Indies bowlers include Jerome Taylor - the 25-year-old pacer with 28 matches and 81 wickets at an average of 35.55; Kemar Roach - the 21-year-old pacer with two matches against Bangladesh, 13 wickets at an average of 17.61; Bravo with 70 wickets at an average of 39.58; the 25-year-old pacer Ravi Rampaul with no Test matches, the 26-year-old pacer Gavin Tonge with no Test matches, and Darren Sammy - the 25-year-old pacer with seven matches and 25 wickets at an average of 25.96.

not what they used to be

Statistically, therefore, and especially so with West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards out of action, it is Australia to win the series, and especially so that they are playing at home - in their sometimes blindingly bright sunshine, on their large grounds, and although they are not what they used to be, as they were in 1975-76, on their fast and bouncy pitches.

Australia, however, are not what they used to be, their bowling is far from awesome, it is a contest of only three matches, and one victory can do the trick.

As the West Indies manager, their coach, and their captain are hoping, as improbable as it seems, the dream could come true. After losing 20 and winning only six out of 28 matches, after losing six and drawing one out of seven series, the West Indies could win, not only at least their seventh Test match, but also only their first series against Australia since 1996.

If, for example, Taylor continues to blow away Ponting cheaply and quickly; if Bravo, as a bowler, as a batsman, and as a fielder, is consistent; if Roach rises to the occasion; if Chanderpaul and Sarwan turn up and lead the way; despite the problems a man of his short stature could experience against bowlers as tall as the Aussie pacers on the pitches of Australia, if Barath fulfils his promise, it could be a tour to remember.

Gayle

Ponting