BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – West Indies will launch their tour Down Under in earnest today (Tuesday night, Eastern Caribbean time) when they clash with Queensland in a four-day match.

The game is the only fixture before the opening Test of the three-match series against Australia at the Gabba starting next week Wednesday.

Since arriving last Thursday, the squad has undergone several intense training sessions but the warm-up match will be the first real test of their match readiness.

The match will have special significance for Australia-born West Indies batsman Brendan Nash who will be returning to the place where he played most of his first class cricket until two years ago.

Nash, who made his debut for the Windies last December, played for Queensland before relocating to Jamaica and subsequently being picked for the regional squad.

“I am really looking forward to this game. Everyone knows I played a lot of cricket here at Queensland and it’s great to be back here,” the left-hander said.

“I would love a series win. I was part of our win against England where we won 1-0 … to see what that meant to the West Indies and the Caribbean people, I would love to emulate that here.

“Winning is for the people of the West Indies and our supporters around the world.”

West Indies have not won a series against Australia in 15 years and have also lost all of their last eight Tests against the World champions.

Nash said he believed his knowledge of conditions and grounds here could prove useful to the squad as they looked to change their recent losing record.

“The guys in the team are looking to me for some pointers because obviously I’ve spent a bit of time here,” he said.

“I think my experience at the Gabba is invaluable to the group. Not a lot of guys have toured Australia or played at the Gabba.”

Nash, the second white player since Geoff Greenidge in the 1970s to represent West Indies, said he would be giving his all to the Windies team to ensure their success.

“Anyone you speak to who I’ve played with in Queensland will tell you I’m a very loyal person, and always do the best by the team I’m playing for,” he contended.

“I’ve switched allegiances now and got back to my grassroots. I’m definitely Jamaican.

“Deep down inside, there’s a point to prove to certain people who wrote you off. I’ve moved on from that and always try to let the bat do the talking.”

The four-day match is set to bowl off at 10 am (8 pm ECT) at the Allan Border Field.

TEAMS (from):WEST INDIES – Chris Gayle (Captain), Denesh Ramdin (Vice Captain), Adrian Barath, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin, Brendan Nash, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor, Gavin Tonge.

QUEENSLAND – Chris Simpson (captain), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Daniel Doran, Luke Feldman, Chris Hartley, Nick Kruger, Alister McDermott, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Wade Townsend, Scott Walter (12th man).