Aussies brace for spin test in Guyana

The South American nation of Guyana is a world away from India in many aspects.

But for an Australian cricket side that has struggled facing spin in foreign conditions, Guyana National Stadium shapes as an ideal testing ground.

The ODI tri-series featuring Australia, South Africa and West Indies starts today when the hosts face the Proteas.

All three teams are expecting spin to play a big part in deciding who wins the early games in Georgetown.

Australia tackle West Indies at 3am AEST on Monday, when tweakers Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon are both likely to be in the XI.

David Warner dismissed the idea that adjusting to 50-over games after three months of Twenty20 action would be a challenge.

But Warner predicted the pitch is likely to be slower than what he and other Australian batsmen encountered during the recent Indian Premier League.

"The spin bowlers are going to play a big role in this series," the vice-captain said.

"We're going to have to be (ready), if we don't it's going to be a short game.

"It's about putting pressure on the bowlers ... make sure they have to adjust their line and length to what the batters are doing.

"The ball isn't going to stay new for too long so ... the first 20 overs are going to be crucial."

Warner got the better of South Africa's Imran Tahir during a T20 series in March but the veteran is regarded as one of the best white-ball spinners in the world.

West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine occupied top spot on the International Cricket Council's T20 bowling rankings prior to being banned for an illegal action.

He returned during the IPL, with the ODI series to be his first games for West Indies since November, 2015.

"Any guy who can spin the ball both ways, at good pace as well, is going to be a handful," opener Aaron Finch said.

"He is someone we will put a lot of work into and make sure we are as well prepared as we can be to play him."

Narine, who has taken 16 wickets at 20.81 in ODIs against Australia, claimed figures of 4-26 during the most recent ODI at Georgetown.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder believed the visiting sides would both play two frontline tweakers on the spin-friendly strip.

"This pitch tends to be generally slow so we're probably expecting an additional spinner," Holder said.

"We may be ranked lower than these guys but we're playing at home so that's a good advantage."

Holder added the hosts wouldn't be underestimating the potency of Zampa and Lyon, who have played a combined 12 ODIs.