England will not be "as strong" without Kevin Pietersen, Australia captain Michael Clarke claimed as he prepared for four months away from home.
Clarke left Australia for the Caribbean on Sunday, with back-to-back tours looming for the world's number two ranked Test nation, including the Ashes in England in July and August.
Australia will be looking for their first Ashes series win away from home since 2001 when the first Test begins in Cardiff on July 8, and Clarke is convinced their hopes have been strengthened by the decision of England's director of cricket Andrew Strauss to bar Pietersen from selection.
Strauss announced on Tuesday that Pietersen will not be welcomed back into England's Test squad due to "a massive trust issue", but with the controversial batsman having averaged 212.33 for Surrey during the 2015 County Cricket season, Clarke is not sure if it is the right decision.
"There's probably two sides for me - there is the personal side where obviously I feel for KP [Pietersen] because I get on well with him and I would love to see him back playing cricket for England," the 34-year-old said at a media conference at Sydney Airport.
"His form has been outstanding, he's still a great player, I know he still wants to play so I feel for him on that side.
"On the other side, we go there soon to play against England.
"Any team without Kevin Pietersen in it, I don't think is as strong."
Pietersen scored 355 not out to lead Surrey to victory over Leicestershire earlier this week.
"He's obviously still in career-best form," Clarke said, before claiming he would not "get caught up" in issues surrounding West Indies or England before the upcoming tours.
West Indies drew 1-1 with England in a three-Test series that finished at the start of May.
Australia's first of two Tests against West Indies starts on June 3.
"They've [West Indies] got a really good bowling attack. I think they swung the ball well [against England], whether that was with the brand new ball or reverse swing. They've got some handy spinners as well," Clarke said.
"The conditions we're about to face will be very similar to the subcontinent. The wickets will be slow and low and will spin. They're coming off some form against England."