Minus Warne, Pigeon & Gilly, Aus go to WI

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Sydney, May 10: : Australia's cricketers flew out of Sydney on Saturday bracing themselves for a tough tour of the West Indies.

The Australians are overwhelming favourites to win the three tests and five one-day internationals but captain Ricky Ponting said the players were not expecting an easy time.

"I think they are starting to turn things around there a little bit better at the moment," Ponting said at Sydney Airport.

"Their bowling attack probably in particular is definitely a lot stronger than the last time we played them in test cricket. As always, they will pose a bit of a threat in their home conditions. But, in saying that, I think with some fresher faces around our group, as well as a bit of a change of personnel from the last (test) game that we played, I think it's a really good opportunity for this team to keep forging its own identity."

The series poses a new challenge for the Australians, who will be without Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer who have all retired in the last 18 months.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke has opted to miss the start of the tour to remain in Australia with his fiancee Lara Bingle, while her father is ill.