Chris Gayle and Andre Russell are "recovering quite nicely" and should be fit to go against Australia at Trent Bridge on Thursday, but a final decision on their participation would only be made on the morning of the match, Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, said.

The presence - or absence - of the two men (Gayle has a back problem, while Russell's fitness has been a concern for a while) will be crucial at what is a small, high-scoring ground, the theatre for England's record 481 for 6 against Australia last year. It was at Trent Bridge that West Indies shot Pakistan out for 105 earlier in the World Cup, but it's also where Pakistan and England totaled 682 runs on June 3. Importantly, the Australia v West Indies game will be played on the 481 pitch, so big hits might well be the order of the day.

"We just want to be as positive as we possibly can be. I think whether we bat first or if we chase, we've got to show intent," Holder said. "Intent is something that we spoke about in the dressing room, and it's something that we want to go about our goal with when we go into our innings. I don't want to get too caught up with the conditions, but at the end of the day I just want the guys to show intent and be fearless.

"We've played on a number of grounds with this short side, and this is something you've just got to cope with. I back the guys to go with their strengths first, no matter the dimensions of the ground. The ground will be one way for both teams; that's one thing guaranteed."

The other aspect of the West Indian game that paid them rich dividends in the seven-wicket win over Pakistan was their impressive short-pitched bowling, especially from Oshane Thomas and Russell.

"I guess it all boils down to the conditions. One thing I said in the last press conference is that we tend to formulate our plans to each batter. If it's a situation where we feel a batsman may be susceptible to the short ball, then we're going to use it," Holder said. "If it's a situation where that's not the case, then we'll find other alternatives.

"It's just not [that we are] stuck on the short ball. I think all the teams so far have used the short ball, and it's just something that's in the game. You've got two short balls per over; you might as well use them."

West Indies had to go through a qualifying tournament to get into the World Cup, a trophy they won in 1975 and 1979. But they have been talked up as one of the dark horses for the tournament, something the captain doesn't want to take too seriously at this stage.

"We're just taking it game by game. Tomorrow is our country versus Australia. We've got a hurdle to overcome. I think when we overcome that hurdle, then we'll move deeper into the tournament," Holder said. "But I just don't want to single out teams particularly. I think all teams are evenly matched and well-balanced, so it's just a matter of playing good cricket on any given day. That's our rule. We want to execute in all three departments.

"I think everybody is expecting a really good contest. We're up for the challenge. I think they're up for the challenge, as well."