Michael Clarke delivered an ominous warning to Australia's rivals in the ICC World T20 debut, insisting "we want to be the best".

Australia, for so long the kings of Tests and one-dayers, have a poor record in the shortest format of the game but vice-captain Clarke says he and his team-mates are ready to change that - starting against West Indies at The Oval on Saturday.

They may have lost a potential matchwinner in Andrew Symonds following the all-rounder's enforced departure Friday, but Clarke was keen to draw a line under that episode and focus on a successful campaign.

"Our preparation has been spot-on"

"Our preparation has been spot-on. We've played very well in the practice matches and we're looking forward to the game against West Indies," said the 28-year-old.

"We're still learning. Australia hasn't played as many Twenty20 games as other countries but a lot of the guys have been involved in the IPL. There are no excuses, we are looking forward to getting out there and being as successful as we can.

"We haven't been as successful as we would like in Twenty20 so this is a good opportunity to show the world we want to be the best at this format."

The sending home of Symonds following an alcohol-related incident has cast an inevitable cloud over Australia's preparations, but Clarke hopes the incident will galvanise the squad.

"No matter what comes along on a tour, as a team you need to stick together," added Clarke. "The boys have trained really well and are looking forward to tomorrow's game. What's happened in the past will stay in the past."

Hussey says Oz want to do very well 

Fellow batsman Mike Hussey admits Twenty20 did not rank very highly on the Aussies' list of priorities in the past.

But with the chance to add another one-day title to the World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy means Ricky Ponting's side are not taking the tournament lightly.

"Whenever you play for Australia, whether it's a Test match, 50-over or Twenty20 you take it very seriously," said Hussey.

"We are proud to play for Australia and we want to do very well. There's a World Cup on the line and that's always a huge carrot for any Australian team and this will be no different.

"The first couple of years we probably didn't take it as seriously as some other countries but now there is a World Cup up for grabs we've gone away from being relaxed and mucking around to taking it very seriously."

Gayle relishing Twenty20 showpiece

Windies captain Chris Gayle may have moped through the recent Test series in England, but fast bowler Brett Lee knows what a threat the big-hitter will pose on Saturday.

"With Chris Gayle you have to try to get him out early, otherwise he is going to hurt you," admitted Lee.

"He's a bit like Andrew Symonds, he can actually turn a game on its head at any stage and win a match for his country. He's a great player so we have to make sure we knock him over early."

And despite their inauspicious record in the shortest format of the game, paceman Nathan Bracken summed up the mood in a determined Aussie camp.

"We didn't come here to lose," he said. "The plan is to win, we are preparing well and playing some good cricket."

Approaching milestones:

Australia vs West Indies

- Nathan Bracken (19) needs one wicket to become the fourth bowler to claim 20 wickets or more in Twenty20 Internationals. Umar Gul (24) heads the table, followed by Shahid Afridi (22) and Daniel Vettori (21).

- Ricky Ponting (376) requires 24 runs to become the first Australian to complete 400 runs in Twenty20 Internationals.
 
Head to Head:

Australia and West Indies would be playing the second Twenty20 International against each other. West Indies had defeated Australia by 3 wickets at Bridgetown on June 20, 2008.