WACA pitch passed fit for Test

BRISBANE - The controversial wicket block at the WACA Ground has been given a clean bill of health for Australia's attempt at cricketing history this weekend.

WACA curator Richard Winter said he was confident of producing a "genuine cricket wicket" for Friday's second Test between Australia and the West Indies despite the problems earlier this month.

The WACA Ground created unwanted history earlier this season when a one-day match between Western Australia and Queensland was abandoned after just five overs because of the unpredictable state of the wicket.

But Winter described that as a "one-off" occurence because of unfavourable weather conditions, insisting Australian skipper Steve Waugh could rely on a good deck for his team's shot at a world record 12th consecutive win.

"It's all looking pretty good at the moment and it should be a genuine cricket wicket from the WACA with some pace and bounce during the first couple of days," Winter said.

"It will be nice and flat with an even grass cover and it will test out the techniques of the top order batsmen."

That assessment should be a warning for the Windies batsmen after Waugh rated their techniques not up to Test standard during the opening clash in Brisbane last weekend.

The Windies were bundled out for 82 and 124, placing serious doubts over their ability to handle the Australian pace attack on the opening days at the WACA.

They struggled against Western Australia earlier this month, folding for 132 and 293 on a different strip to the Test wicket.

"That was a little bit different because that wicket cracked down the centre and this (Test) wicket won't crack to that extent," Winter said.

"We're using the same strip that was used for the last two Tests here and it will turn out to be a good batting wicket but the batsmen will have to be patient across the first couple of days."

Australia won its last three Tests in Perth but the Windies have a flawless record, winning all five of their previous Tests at the ground.

The tourists have been so dominant at the WACA, they have not lost a second innings wicket in four of the five victories.