SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) – Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has urged the Caribbean side to fight fire with fire in the upcoming three-Test series, starting tonight local time.

Lara, who quit international cricket in 2007, said West Indies needed to take control of the Test match early if they were to stand any chance of beating

the Australians.

“We have to come out very aggressively to give us any sort of a chance to win. If you are going to beat Australia you have got to surprise them and take charge from very early,” Lara was quoted as saying.

“You’ve got to take the game to them and try to dominate and dictate to them as early as possible.

“In a team environment that’s the only way any team can beat Australia. You look at the results and realise that Australia will grind out a win far better than any other team.”

West Indies have not won a series against Australia in 15 years and will be hard-pressed to break this trend when the first Test gets underway at the Gabba on Thursday at 10:00 am (8:00 pm, Wednesday, Eastern Caribbean time).

Due to a bitter players strike, the bulk of the squad have played precious little international cricket in recent months and have played just one warm-up match ahead of the first Test.

Their batsmen shaped up well, however, in the second innings of the tour match against Queensland last week though their bowlers struggled in batsman-friendly conditions.