ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo says he is using the Regional Four-day Championship to develop strategy for Australia's tour of the Caribbean starting next month.

"This tournament will form part of the build-up to what we can all expect to be a tough series against Australia," the 26-year-old said.

"I have not played against Australia, but I have been watching and paying close attention to what is happening so I have a few ideas and plans about how to bowl when I get the opportunity."

Bishoo has emerged in recent times as a crucial member of the Windies attack and is expected to play a key role in the series which includes three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.

Last weekend, he warmed up nicely for that showdown with match figures of eight for 70 as Guyana demolished Leeward Islands by 234 runs at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Bishoo admitted he was not in top form during the game but was looking forward to moving into high gear in this weekend's tussle with Windward Islands also scheduled for Windsor Park.

"I came into the four-day tournament after coming off the Caribbean T20 tournament, so I would say I was not at my best throughout the match," Bishoo pointed out.

"I was still happy with the way I bowled overall and I was very happy with the way we played as a team. In the T20 tournament I was bowling just four overs, so it's good to get back into the long version of the game and be able to plan a bit more and get some overs under my belt."

Guyana's preparation for the opening match was dogged by controversy, as the administration of the game there remains in limbo following its takeover by a government-led Interim Management Committee.

With the West Indies Cricket Board condemning the action and reiterating its support for the Guyana Cricket Board, Guyana's four opening matches were pulled from the National Stadium at Providence, days before the start of the tournament.

"We played some good cricket in the first match and got a good win, which was a big boost for the team," said Bishoo, who has played 10 Tests and 13 ODIs.

"When we left Guyana there were a lot of things happening but we stayed focused and we were not distracted. That win did a lot for the team. We are a young team and we are just taking everything in stages. We will look to make it two wins out of two when we come up against the Windwards."