Marlon Black and Mahendra Na-gamootoo face fitness tests before taking their place in the West Indies line-up for (he crucial Carlton tri-nation one-day clash against Zimbabwe Friday.

West Indies’ captain Jimmy Adams said in Perth Thursday that

selectors wanted to make sure that 25-year-old last bowler Black had recovered from a shoulder injury and leg-spinner Nagamootoo would not be hampered by an injured toe.

The day-night match is a virtual mini-final which will determine which side qualifies to take on the all-conquering Australia in (he best-of-three finals starting in Sydney on Wednesday.

I he West Indies have won only two of their first seven matches, while Zimbabwe have a solitary victon,’ from six matches.

If Zimbabwe win Friday's clash, they are likely to edge into the finals because of a superior run rate.

"It is a must-win situation for both of us. and that should make for some very good cricket." Adams said.

"It's do-or-die now. You don’t

draw one-day games and there will be a result. Whoever wins, goes on — we are very aware of that.

Zimbabwe skipper Heath ’ Streak said his side was also aware of the game's importance: "We also have to win to stay in contention. so it is a big game for us — definitely a sort of final before the finals.

"We are encouraged by our batting performance against Australia in Hobart Tuesday," he said in reference to Zimbabwe making 279 for six despite losing by six wickets).

"So far we have not pul all three departments (batting, bowling and fielding) together in the one game. When we can get all three departments going. 1 feel sure we can give opponents a real run for their money." Adams said he believed the West Indies would have an advantage over Zimbabwe because the Caribbean players had already played two matches, including a Test, on the bouncy WACA wicket this season.

Streak however downplayed the issue and said he. felt his players would be able to cope.

"We have played here before. Obviously it is a bit different from other pitches — there is a bit more bounce and pace. The guys are professional players, and 1 hope they can make the adjustment pretty quickly."

Despile the West Indies' 5-0 hammering by Australia in the Test scries, Adams was keen to emphasize that the tour had not been a complete disaster.

"One of the most important things we have managed to do is io keep the team together." he said.

"We have been on tours before when things haw not gone well, and things haw got a lilile bit fragmented.

"I am not taking full credit (for keeping the learn together). A lot of the credit goes to the manage-meni team (lour manager Ricky

Skerritt and coach Roger Harper). They have maintained a positive attitude right through, and kept things from breaking open and fragmenting completely, which is very important.

"Also, we have exposed quite a few kids to international cricket. They have had a better environment than in the past to come and parade their skills in front of an overseas public."

Both sides will finalise their line-ups Friday.

TEAMS

WEST INDIES (from): Jimmy Adams (captain). Marlon Black. Sherwin Campbell. Cameron Cuffy. Daren Ganga. Wavell Hinds. Ridley Jacobs. Sylvester Joseph. Brian Lara. Nixon McLean. Mahendra Nagamootoo. Ricardo Powell. Marlon Samuels, Colin Stuart. Lauric Williams.

ZIMBABWE (from): Heath Sireak (captain), Alistair Campbell. Stuart Carlisle. Andrew Flower. Grant Flower. Travis Friend. Angus Mackay, Trevor Madondo, Douglas Marillicr, Brian Murphy. Mluleki Nkala. Gavin Rennie. Bryan Strang. Dirk Viljoen. Guy Whittall.

Umpires: Darrell Hair, Simon Taufcl.