Before Australia’s tour of the Caribbean coach Mickey Arthur spoke of the dangers of facing an “unknown” opponent.

The same could hardly be said for the West Indies as they prepare for the two-match Twenty20 series against Australia starting in St Lucia on Tuesday.

In the modern age of franchise-based Twenty20 cricket, several of the West Indies players have played in Australian teams, making them very familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.

Big-hitting allrounder Kieron Pollard played for South Australia, Dwayne Bravo featured for Victoria and the Sydney Sixers and Dwayne Smith was NSW’s overseas recruit in the 2009-10 Big Bash competition.

The Indian Premier League also brought players into close contact with each other with Dwayne and Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell among those to have played with and against Australians there.

Smith said his time in Australia had given him insight into their players including new skipper George Bailey – but with one exception.

“I have played against him before,” Smith said of Bailey. “I think we played IPL against him as well too.

“I know most of the players here, (Peter) Forrest is probably the only one I don’t know yet.”

If Australia didn’t know much about their West Indian opponents before the one-day series, which finished drawn 2-2, then they do now.

And captain Darren Sammy believes Australia would be unwise to expect any less of a fight from the home team in the T20s.

“I think they know we’re going to fight,” Sammy said.

“The way we’ve come back strong at them, if they take us for granted they would be not very intelligent to do that.

“We have a strong belief in the team now that we can go out and win games, not only compete but win games.”