<p>Did someone say Caribbean cool?</p> <p>Australia is back on a Test tour of the West Indies for the first time in 10 years!&nbsp;</p> <p>A couple of weeks removed from their defeat at Lord’s in the World Test Championship Final to South Africa, the Aussies gather to begin their next cycle by defending the Frank-Worrell (careful, Brendon Julian) Trophy with three Tests away from home.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’re crucial matches as well, as they are Australia’s only listed Test matches before this summer’s highly anticipated Ashes series. And, with an ageing team with several question marks hanging over it, these three matches have plenty riding on them from an Australian point of view.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Can the Aussies bounce back from their defeat at Lord’s strongly? Or is it time to tally round the West Indies?</p> <p>It’s time to channel all that calypso spirit into what is going to be an exciting and action-packed three weeks of Test cricket!</p> <p>For the best tips, analysis, stats, and preview of the highly anticipated series, read our West Indies vs Australia Test series preview and predictions below.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Indies vs Australia Test Series Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Who could forget the last time these sides faced off in a Test match?</p> <p>It was only January last year when Shamar Joseph burst onto the international scene. On one foot, he ripped through Australia at the Gabba with a seven-wicket haul to close out a famous West Indian Test victory - their first in Australia for over two decades.</p> <p>Thanks to those heroics at the Gabba, this Test series is now a three-game series instead of two. Two day games and then rounding out with a Pink ball match at Sabina Park - notably, it will be the first Pink ball Test that Australia plays away from home.&nbsp;</p> <p>We can’t wait for the rematch!</p> <p>It’s a big Test series for Australia.</p> <p>After a disjointed batting order failed to work for the one-off WTC final, Questions aplenty surround the top-order and who the custodians of the positions are for the now and medium-term.</p> <p>With only three Tests between now and the first ball against England in the Ashes this summer, they are running out of chances to bed it down.</p> <p>The Aussie selectors have already made a big call in dispensing with Marnus Labuschagne, who was thrust into opening for the WTC Final in a last-ditch effort to salvage his spot in the side. With just the one century in his past 50 Test innings, the selectors finally ran out of patience with the one-time world number one Test batter and will start the new cycle on the outside of the best XI looking in.</p> <p>It has already been announced that young tyro Sam Konstas will be included in the XI for the series, partnering with veteran Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.&nbsp;</p> <p>The other change already announced by the Aussies is a forced one, with Steve Smith set to miss the first Test after injuring his finger in the WTC Final. Western Australian Josh Inglis will be given his opportunity to cement his place in the XI after a strong performance in his long-awaited debut earlier this year in Galle.&nbsp;</p> <p>Then there’s the question of the bowling attack and who will partner Pat Cummins as part of the bowling cartel. With dry pitches expected, there is always the possibility of a second spinner being included, with Matt Kuhnemann potentially partnering Nathan Lyon.&nbsp;</p> <p>The hosts have a brand new Test captain in 33-year-old spinner Roston Chase, who is back for his first Test match since March 2023. They also have a new wicketkeeper with white-ball star Shai Hope recalled to the squad, with regular Test gloveman Josh Da Silva omitted from the squad.&nbsp;</p> <p>Veteran quick bowler Kemar Roach was overlooked for the squad, as was classy left-hander Alick Athanaze. There could be debuts in the offing for the home side, with Kevlon Anderson a chance to play his first Test after a string of good white-ball form.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Indies vs Australia Test Squads</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>West Indies squad: </strong>Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Braithwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Karty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales</p> <p><strong>Australia squad:</strong> Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Indies vs Australia Test Series Betting Tips &amp; Predictions</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head (H2H)</h3> <p>While the Windies finally tasted some long-awaited Test match success against Australia last time they played, they haven’t won a series against Australia since January 1993.</p> <p>Australia is unbeaten in its last 13 Test series against the Windies and has only lost one Test series under Pat Cummins’ captaincy.</p> <p>The Aussies are on a run of three consecutive Test series wins, while the Windies have drawn each of their past two Test series (1-1 vs Pakistan - Jan 25’ &amp; 1-1 vs Bangladesh - December 25’)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Aussies haven’t played a Test at Barbados since 2012, winning a final day thriller by three wickets deep in the third session against the now-coach of the West Indies, Darren Sammy’s team.&nbsp;</p> <p>Australia is unbeaten in its last three Tests at Kensington Oval, though, dating back to 2003, with other happy memories such as the World Cup Final win in 2007 on that ground.&nbsp;</p> <p>The hosts will be hoping to use their good form at the venue to get off to a good start in the three-match series, having only lost one of their past five Test matches there in recent times.&nbsp;</p> <p>Of course, playing in the tropics, you need to account for some weather intervention at some point, but for all the questions that surround the Australian team and the makeup of their XI, we think they will be too good for the West Indies. Led by their brilliant bowlers to bail them out, they should win this comfortabl<strong>y.&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/test-matches/west-indies-v-australia-series-betting-9332183">Australia 2 - 0 West Indies</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Top Run Scorer</h3> <p>He missed out against South Africa in what will surely be his final trip to Lord’s, but on lower and slower decks, we’re expecting big things from Usman Khawaja this series.</p> <p>It’s the perfect chance for the veteran to cement his spot before what we think will be his own farewell summer before hanging up the gloves. We’re looking at him to cash in.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/test-matches/west-indies-v-australia-series-betting-9332183">Usman Khawaja</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Highest Wicket Taker</h3> <p>Can Shamar Joseph repeat his Gabba heroics with his home crowds behind him?</p> <p>We’re backing the speedster to bowl with the same fire that set his name alight across the cricketing world. His raw pace might just be too much for the Aussies to handle.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/test-matches/west-indies-v-australia-series-betting-9332183">Shamar Joseph</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player of the Series</h3> <p>Highest run scorers or highest wicket takers usually have the greatest bearing on matches in this part of the world.&nbsp;</p> <p>He needs a big series, so we’re looking at Khawaja to take home an extra medal here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/test-matches/west-indies-v-australia-series-betting-9332183">Usman Khawaja</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How to Watch West Indies vs Australia Test Series</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Australia’s tour of the West Indies will be available to watch in Australia on ESPN (available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Disney+ &amp; Fetch TV). It can be heard on the Radio via the ABC and SEN for ball-by-ball coverage.</p> <p>Play each day for the first two Tests is scheduled to get underway at Midnight AEST. For the Third Test, play is slated to begin at 4:30 AM AEST.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Indies vs Australia 2025 Test Series Fixtures</h2> <p><strong>First Test:</strong> West Indies vs Australia, Midnight AEST, On Thursday, June 26 - June 30, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown/ Barbados</p> <p><strong>Second Test:</strong> West Indies vs Australia, Midnight AEST, On Friday, July 4 - July 8 - National Cricket Stadium, Grenada</p> <p><strong>Third Test:</strong> West Indies vs Australia, 4:30 AM AEST, On Sunday, July 13 - July 17 - Sabina Park, Jamaica</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>