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West Indies are World Twenty20 champions and believe forecast rain could play into their hands via a shortened match at the 50-over World Cup against Australia.

West Indies believe a shortened match against Australia could play into their hands if rain hits Nottingham as expected.

The Trent Bridge pitch has spent a great deal of the week under covers, with the exception of the sun shining on Pakistan's win over England on Monday.

Rain is again forecast for parts of Thursday, meaning the World Cup clash could be weather-affected and potentially shortened.

That could benefit the West Indies, who are the World Twenty20 champions and have a number of players more accustomed to the game's shortest form.

"We would love that (rain)," West Indies allrounder Carlos Brathwaite said.

"But we are planning for 50 overs. If the powers that be decide it is a 25 or 30-over game then we adapt to that as much as we can.

"I would publicly say the shorter game suits the West Indies more, but having said that we are at a 50-over World Cup so we have to expect every game will go 50 overs and then just adapt as the conditions dictate."

The West Indies have shot from nowhere to be a team of interest following their first-up flogging of Pakistan.

After falling down to No.9 in the rankings last year, they were forced to qualify for the tournament alongside Afghanistan while the likes of Bangladesh were guaranteed their place.

But with their big stars available, the 1975 and 1979 champions have the kind of game with both bat and ball that can shock their opposition.

"The West Indies are traditionally Christian and everyone knows the number 40 is very significant," Brathwaite said.

"And it's been 40 years since we last won it (the World Cup).

"We're in English conditions with a big West Indies following and we think our group is the perfect mix of youth and experience.

"We believe in the dressing room that this is our best chance in the last 40 years for us to win the competition."