Australia’s stand-in cricket captain Shane Watson says he’s excited by the challenge of leading a touring party.

Watson and the rest of Australia’s one-day squad depart for the West Indies on Friday, triumphant after winning the tri-series finals over Sri Lanka.

Australia downed the Lankans by 16 runs in the third and deciding final in Adelaide on Thursday night, bowling Sri Lanka out for 215 after making 231.

Watson led the Australians to victory in the absence of regular captain Michael Clarke, who will miss the next month of cricket with a hamstring strain.

A five-match limited overs series in the West Indies starts next Friday, with Clarke aiming to return for the three-Test series against the Windies starting on April 7.

Watson has led Australia three times in Clarke’s injury-forced absences for three wins.

“It has been a very exciting time just for myself, to be honest,” Watson said.

“Just to be able to see the game from a different perspective has been a lot of fun.

“Actually being in there, around the bowlers all the time, communicating with them, is a lot of fun.”

Watson said the winning Australian outfit would celebrate their tri-series win despite having a 5.15am wake-up call for flights to Sydney before travelling onto the West Indies.

“You have certainly got to enjoy the good times and the wins,” he said.

“We do have a quarter-past-five leave from the hotel in the morning so there could be a few tired blokes after celebrating.

“But you do have to make the most of the good days.

“Playing cricket, and sport in general, you don’t always have good days.”