“I thought they (bowlers) did well. I mean they (Australia) were 113 for one in 24 overs at lunch,” Lara said after Australia ended the day on 320-3, scoring an additional 207 runs in the remaining 66 overs.

“As far as I am concerned, that is a very good comeback. It is a very, very flat track,” said Lara, noting Australia made over 400 runs, four years ago when the West Indies’ attack included Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

“I am not discouraged and I hope that the young fast bowlers are not discouraged. They are going to get weaker batting line-ups and they are going to get better bowling tracks so we got to be patient,” urged Lara.

Lara said his decision to field first on a placid Kensington Oval pitch, devoid of grass, was simple.

“I am going to back my batsmen to bat well in the fourth innings … I think it is quite obvious from the four innings that we’ve played, we batted better in three innings when we knew exactly what’s been happening and I think this wicket is going to last,” Lara said.

He said Australia have been playing four fast bowlers and do not "have the option of having two spinners”.

“I am going to expect my guys to bat very well, first and second innings,” he said.

“The one match that we batted first in Guyana on a very good batting track, we were way behind after tea on the first day,” Lara recalled.

“As I said, the simple answer is that I am going to back my players to bat very well, both innings. If we make a big total in the first innings, Australia got to manoeuvre the game to try to get in a result,” Lara contended.

“What is very important to note here is they scored 391 on the first day in Trinidad, they are 70-odd short of that in Barbados on a smaller outfield (and) flatter track.