West Indies believe they can level series

Look around the sporting world and you will hear the word "belief" bandied about more than most others. It may be a cliche but if you think you can win, then that's half the battle and West Indies are certainly talking a good game as they look to tie the series against Australia by winning the third and final Test, which begins in Perth on Wednesday.

That belief stems from their performance in the second Test when they held their own in Adelaide, a huge achievement after their struggles of the past decade. There seems no question that West Indies cricket is on the up and however slow the progress, anything is an improvement on what has gone before, of late.

Chris Gayle led from the front with a brilliant century in the second innings and Dwayne Bravo and Brendan Nash showed up the relative weakness of the Australia bowling attack with stubborn and excellent innings first time round.

That's the thing with Australia. In the absence of Brett Lee, who was looking close to his best again, they don't really have the firepower to knock over a side if their batsmen bat sensibly.

And the great thing for West Indies so far is that though one or two batsmen have batted well at times, they have not gelled as a side yet, which bodes well if they can get themselves in the right frame of mind in Perth.

The strip at the Waca may not be quite the runway it used to be, but it still rewards pace and bounce and West Indies may have unearthed a new star in Kemar Roach, who shook up the Aussies in Adelaide and who should love conditions in Perth.

Now, of course, Australia don't need to win this match to take the series but bet365 are taking no chances with their price, making them 3/10 to win it, with West Indies 8/1 and the draw on offer at 4/1.

Gayle is favourite to top-score for West Indies in the first innings and he will love the ball coming onto the bat. Bet365 make him 10/3, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is due a big innings, on 7/2 alongside Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Travis Dowlin, who is itching to get in the side but who will probably be disappointed, is 11/2, as is Bravo, while Adrian Barath, who hit a century on his debut in the first Test, is also 11/2. Nash is 8/1.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting tops the betting for his side at 3/1, with Simon Katich 7/2, Shane Watson 4/1 and Michael Hussey 9/2, together with Michael Clarke, who is due big runs and who could be dangerous. Marcus North is 9/1 and Brad Haddin 12/1.

Believe it or not, Australia have lost their past two Tests in Perth, to India and South Africa, and if West Indies can make a good start, then it will be fascinating to see how Australia react.

A 1-1 draw would be a monumental achievement for West Indies, a result that would perhaps put them on course to return, if not to their glory days, to at least a side that cannot be taken for granted.