West Indies' Holder targeting Australia middle order

Jason Holder is confident West Indies can exploit Australia's "weaknesses" in the middle order as the sides prepare for a three-match Test series.

West Indies arrive in Australia with few expecting them to have much success against the hosts, who are fresh off a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.

By contrast, West Indies have won just one and lost seven of their past 10 Tests " including a 2-0 series defeat to Australia on home soil back in June.

But Holder believes Australia's batting line-up " likely to be comprised of Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges and Mitchell Marsh in the middle order " can be exposed.

"We've seen weaknesses we can exploit," he said.

"They have some in-form batsmen like David Warner and Steve Smith so it's important we put pressure on the middle order.

"If we can get some early wickets with the new ball we can get guys like Shaun Marsh, who are trying to make their way back into the side, and put them under some pressure to score.

"Once we do that then it should be a relatively competitive series.

"Not only do we have the pace but I think we have bowlers to extract the movement.

"One of the crucial things in this series is to extract some movement. We have to be skilful.

"We don't just come with some belief. We've come with a lot of belief. We have to play aggressive cricket and we have to play smart cricket."