Mystery spinner Sunil Narine ... a key man for the West Indies. - WICB photo

West Indies and Ireland clash today in game one of their two-match Twenty20 International series at Sabina Park today.

The matchup, which is set to bowl off at 2 p.m., is expected to see both fielding their strongest teams as they prepare for next month's ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.

West Indies are set to welcome the return of top batsmen Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, who have been carrying injuries since late last year.

The duo are expected to form the backbone of the team's batting along with Dwayne Bravo, the in-form Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons.

Mystery spinner Sunil Narine, Bravo, captain Darren Sammy, André Russell, the recalled Krishmar Santokie and leg-spinner Samuel Badree are expected to lead the West Indies attack.

"In any cricket series, it is important that you start well, and come tomorrow that will be our intention, to win," Sammy said yesterday.

Ireland, who will be hoping to pull off a few surprises at the World Twenty20, will enter the contest on the back of a first-round exit from the just-concluded regional Super50 tournament.

Coach Phil Simmons said they will be looking quickly put that disappointment behind them.

"The Super50 was a good experience for the team albeit we won one and lost two of our matches," Simmons said.

"We are, however, preparing for the World T20, and as such this series is just another step in that direction.

The second game is set for Friday at the same venue.

West Indies (from) Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, André Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, André Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Sheldon Cottrell and Dwayne Smith.

Ireland (from): William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, James Shannon, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson and Craig Young.