ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies chief selector Clyde Butts says he hopes the upcoming one-day series in Australia will be the start of a positive run for the regional side.

Speaking after announcing the 15-man squad for the series, Butts said he hoped any momentum gained under would be transferred into the pending Home Series.

“There is a lot of cricket to be played in the next five months and we have to be prepared,” Butts said.

“The players have been working hard and we are looking to do well in Australia and also to continue that work when we return home for the series against Zimbabwe in late February and March.”

West Indies will play five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals Down Under from February 4-23 before clashing with the touring Zimbabweans in five ODIs and a single T20I starting five days later in the Caribbean.

They will then host the Twenty20 World Championship starting April 30 before taking on South Africa in three Tests and five ODIs, which bowl off May 19.

Butts said West Indies were already looking forward  to the hectic campaign ahead.

“We have the much-anticipated ICC T20 World Cup  at home and we want to be fully prepared for that,” the former West Indies off-spinner said.

“Following that tournament we face South Africa at home and that will be another major battle. Overall, we want to see the players make progress as individuals, see the team make strides as a unit and get West Indies cricket back up the ladder.”