West Indies' Chris Gayle (left) and Clive Lloyd attend a cricket practice session in Mumbai. - Reuters

MUMBAI, India (CMC):

West Indies captain Brian Lara is looking ahead positively to his team's assignments in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.

Placed in Group A after losing the qualifying series decider against Sri Lanka on Saturday, Lara appeared to suggest in the post-game interview that the group does not hold any terrors for his Caribbean side if they perform at their best.

While acknowledging that their opening game against current World Champions Australia is a definite challenge, Lara suggested they will go into their other games against India and England with confidence, given their recent record against them.

No build-up

West Indies, the reigning Champions Trophy holders, whipped India 4-1 at home in the Caribbean in May.

"We have had a good time against India this year, and also England is a team that we have beaten and have maybe a better record (against them) over the last two years or so," Lara said.

Their batting collapse - 80 all out - and nine-wicket loss to Sri Lanka on Saturday was not their ideal build-up for the main draw of the Champions Trophy but Lara is anxious to rally his troops for the title defence, starting with Australia.

"Australia of course is the best team in the world, and we are starting out against them, but we are very optimistic about our chances still," he said.

"We've just got to move forward with the idea of playing much better cricket," Lara added.

Open campaign

After back-to-back Group B matches - New Zealand against South Africa on Monday and Pakistan facing Sri Lanka today - West Indies open their campaign against Australia tomorrow morning in Mumbai.

West Indies will then play their next games in Ahmedabad, against India on October 26 and England two days later.

In the first Group A match on Sunday, India beat England by four wickets in a low-scoring game.