MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC) - Having not played competitive cricket since the Champions' Trophy conquest last September, West Indies left-arm seamer Ian Bradshaw believes the team must take the three warm-up matches for the VB Triangular Limited Overs series seriously. The first of these matches bowls off today when the West Indies engage in-form state side Victoria in a day-night encounter at the MCG. "We know we have to take the first three practice games very seriously and get ourselves together, so that when we meet Australia at the MCG next week, we're ready," Bradshaw told the Australian Press. The 30 year-old Bradshaw is part of the 14-member West Indies squad that arrived in Australia last Sunday to contest the VB series, along with Pakistan and hosts, world champions Australia. The West Indies have not played international cricket since their shocking ICC Champions Trophy final win against England on September 25, and will have the luxury of just Wednesday's match against Victoria, and two matches against Australia 'A' in Hobart, at the weekend, to sharpen their edges. "In any cricketer's life, three months away from playing a competitive game is a long time, a lot can happen," Bradshaw said. "We're just really looking forward to playing cricket." Bradshaw, who made his ODI debut in May last year, said he felt the West Indies were ready to compete, especially after the overwhelming success in the Champions' Trophy in England. He noted that the players had drawn confidence from that success and that there was now a strong team spirit that had permeated the squad. "What has happened is the guys have grown in confidence. We always knew we had talent within the team," Bradshaw pointed out. "It was just a matter of us working together as a team, building that cohesiveness as a unit." He added: "That came out in the Champions Trophy, where we really worked hard together, we believed in our ability and came out successful." Bradshaw, confirmed as an allrounder after his match-winning knock in the Champions Trophy final, is expected to be in the final XI that line up against Victoria for the fixture that starts at approximately midnight Eastern Caribbean Time. Victoria named a strong squad to take on the Windies. Having won their last three ING Cup games, Victoria made only two changes to the team that overcame South Australia on Sunday and the rest of the selection was on expected lines. Ian Hewett and Brad Knowles have been rested for the game. Shane Harwood, the opening bowler, was picked after fully recovering from a broken cheekbone and will partner the in-form Michael Lewis. Nick Jewell was also given a chance after starring for the Victorian 2nd XI in the second-tier Cricket Australia Cup this season. WEST INDIES (from) - Brian Lara (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (vice-captain), Christopher Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Ryan Hinds, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Pedro Collins, Mervyn Dillon, Reon King, Xavier Marshall. VICTORIA (from) - Cameron White (captain), Adam Crosthwaite, Matthew Elliott, Ian Harvey, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Nick Jewell, Michael Lewis, Jonathan Moss, Graeme Rummans, Tim Welsford. Reprinted from jamaicaobserver.com