Aussies won't waiver on winning ways

Australian captain Steve Waugh said his players don't want to commit one of sport's greatest "sins" by letting their winning streak end in Antigua on Friday.

Australia will start short-priced favourites to win the final Test against the West Indies despite their relatively poor record in dead-rubber matches in recent seasons.

Australia's most recent losses came in the final matches against South Africa in Durban last year and against England in Sydney in January.

But Waugh doesn't expect his players to lose focus at St John's as they strive for the first clean sweep by a touring team in the Caribbean.

"The greatest sin for any sportsman is to waste good form and we don't want to do that," Waugh said.

"I've got great respect for West Indies cricket. They taught us a lot about where we are now.

"When I first played against the West Indies back in '85 they were the dominating force and we learned a lot about West Indies cricket so I've always had respect and admiration for them.

"But, at the moment, we're on top and you've got to make the most of it because you never know how long it's going to last and right now we're playing good cricket."

The Australians arrived in Antigua today after yesterday's nine-wicket victory in the third Test in Bridgetown.

The players will be allowed time to rest before the final match because of the short three-day break, which followed a long haul in the field for the tourists.

With Waugh making the Windies follow-on at Kensington Oval, Australia bowled 244 consecutive overs to leave doubts over how the bowlers would bounce back at St John's.

But selectors were expected to stick with the combination of four pacemen and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, who prevented the Windies from holding on for a draw in the third Test.

"We've always got to assess what's going on and how the bowlers pull up," Waugh said.

"Brett Lee's got a couple of stitches in his hand so we'll have a look at that.

"But I'm not sure - I haven't seen the pitch in Antigua - but I hope there's a bit more life to it."