Despite a bruising bouncer battle with the fiery Brett Lee in last week's second Test, West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara says it's more challenging coping with Lee's fast bowling and Australian compatriot Glenn McGrath.

"Lee keeps the ball at your head. McGrath keeps you probing outside the off-stump so McGrath is definitely going to be a lot more action, a lot more tempting.

"I think McGrath-Lara is definitely more decisive. Brett Lee bowls very, very fast. You have to face those guys and you got to be able to handle it. It is Test cricket," Lara said after his epic encounter with the lightning Lee.

The West Indies skipper survived a series of testing bouncers and avoided decapitation during a rigorous seven overs from Lee, remaining scoreless for 23 balls on 94 before reaching his first Test century on his home ground at Queen's Park Oval last Wednesday.

The Trinidadian was eventually out for 122 as the West Indies lost by 118 runs and Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test rubber.

The in-form Lara, who also posted a hundred in the first Test in Guyana and has scored eight of his 20 Test centuries off Australian bowlers, is looking forward to resuming his rivalry with McGrath in the third Test, beginning in Barbados on Thursday.

He will no doubt want to celebrate his 34th birthday on Friday with another impressive performance.

McGrath, who missed the first half of the series because of his wife Jane's cancer diagnosis, arrived in the Caribbean in time to watch his team-mates retain the coveted Sir Frank Worrell Trophy in Trinidad.

"I saw him (McGrath) in the dressing room . . . It is nice to see him coming into the series at some point in time. He is here and I am happy that his wife is fine," said Lara.

McGrath, 33, has taken 94 wickets in 18 Tests against West Indies at a miserly 17.96 runs apiece, claiming the wicket of Lara several times.

He tuned up for the Test by playing in the three-day match against the University of the West Indies' Vice-Chancellor's XI this past weekend (see story this page).

Australia's captain Steve Waugh is also delighted with McGrath's return, albeit for very different reasons than Lara.

Describing McGrath as "the world's best bowler", Waugh said: "The only certainty is that Glenn McGrath will come back into the side unless he gets injured. Someone will have to make way [but I'm not certain who this is going to be." The 37-year-old Waugh, whose 158 Tests are more than any other player in the game's history, enjoyed last Wednesday's absorbing contest between Lee and Lara and highlighted the latter's importance to the regional team.

"Brian made a magnificent century. Brett gave his best and it was a good duel. A couple of short balls got through Brian but he survived. It was tremendous Test match cricket.

"I don't mind Brian getting a hundred every Test as long as we win and he's done that again.

"Every time he gets a hundred, it is a great hundred. He is in tremendous form," noted Waugh.

Saying that he must be even more dominant if the West Indies are to challenge Australia in the coming matches, Lara has promised to maintain his positive attitude at the wicket.

"I am happy to get a hundred (in Trinidad), but the situation was that I was supposed to get a lot more than a hundred to save the West Indies and that didn't happen.

"My approach for the remaining matches is going to be very positive. I am very optimistic about the batting. We need to do some work in the bowling department to ensure we limit the Australians," said the double world record-holder.