The Windies captain feels individual flair alone would not overcome the world champions and that the team has to play 'intelligent cricket'.
MUMBAI: West Indies captain Brian Lara has told his team to play "intelligent cricket" in Sunday's Champions Trophy final against Australia, saying individual flair alone would not overcome the world champions.
"The Australians try to impose themselves on any opposition they play," Lara said on Saturday.
"You have to play intelligent cricket, match them at all times, and take that extra step when the right time comes. "Playing with flair or attacking cricket is not going to scare the Australians. You have to play sensibly, put in a good team effort. The smarter team is going to win."
Australia are aiming to win the only trophy missing from their collection. Holders West Indies handed Australia their only defeat in the group phase but Lara said the world champions would be tougher this time.
"We'll be playing against a team more aware of the situation and in a big final so we're expecting tougher opposition than in the first match of this tournament," said Lara.
"We've played each other four times in the last few months and the fact that it's 2-2 at the moment sets up a very good encounter," said the left-hander referring to their meetings in the recent tri-series in Malaysia.
Lara said Australia were the favourites.
"Of course they're the favourites. They're world champions, the number one. Going into the match you'd be unwise to think otherwise.
"(But) I love the tag unpredictable, which means that no opposition, no matter how strong they are, can think that they're going to roll us over."
West Indies defeated South Africa by six wickets in the semi-finals with in-form opener Chris Gayle scoring an undefeated century.
Lara, who has occasionally dropped himself down the order in the tournament, backed his batsmen to deliver.
"We have different guys, some who play spin better than others. They're quite confident of their ability to come in at any position and make runs," he said.
"The fact we have players who are willing to drop back in the order or come up the order is a good thing for us. Australia are a very good team but we've been in two finals before and would like to win this one to make it two out of three in the Champions Trophy."
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