West Indies quick Andre Russell has warned he is ready to hit Australia with more aggressive short stuff in next Thursday's World Cup clash.

Key points: West Indies have beaten Pakistan by seven wickets in their World Cup opener in Nottingham

West Indies have beaten Pakistan by seven wickets in their World Cup opener in Nottingham The team is coming into form, having scored 421 against New Zealand in their final warm-up game this week

The team is coming into form, having scored 421 against New Zealand in their final warm-up game this week West Indies will face Australia on Thursday night (AEST) at Trent Bridge in their next match in the tournament

But first he must overcome a knee injury, with both he and fellow superstar Chris Gayle leaving the West Indies sweating over their fitness.

Russell limped from the field with an injured knee in the West Indies' seven-wicket flogging of Pakistan on Friday, but not before he wreaked havoc at Trent Bridge.

The former Sydney Thunder all-rounder finished with figures of 2-4 from three overs — as the West Indies skittled Pakistan for 105 in just 21.4 overs.

The men from the Caribbean then took just 13.4 overs to chase down the total, thanks to 50 off 34 balls from Chris Gayle and a quickfire 34 off 19 balls from left-hander Nicholas Pooran.

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Russell's wickets included the key scalp of Fakhar Zaman from a ball that bounced off the Pakistani opener's helmet and onto the stumps.

And he said he would take a similar short-pitched approach against Australia, not concerned by the defending champions being accustomed to bumpers on their hard home decks.

Last Wednesday, Usman Khawaja avoided serious injury after being struck by a fierce Russell delivery in Australia's seven-wicket World Cup warm-up win over the Windies in Southampton.

Australian batsman Khawaja was forced off the field when hit by a ball that reared off a length from his former Thunder teammate and caught him under the grill on his helmet, although subsequent hospital scans failed to show any serious injury to the 32-year-old.

But Russell told reporters on Friday: "I'm not going to change anything, I'm going to be aggressive but be smart about it.

Usman Khawaja knows Andre Russell's bouncers are hard to evade, after he was hit in a warm-up match. ( AP/PA: Andrew Matthews )

"Australian guys are used to fast bowling, but once you bowl aggressive to them anything can happen.

"Even though you can a lot of the time be a good puller or better with the short balls, it all depends on the pace of the ball and line of the ball.

"If the ball is slightly wide, for you to pull a wide ball you have to get your bat around.

If fit, Andre Russell will be one of West Indies main bowling weapons against Australia at Trent Bridge. ( Reuters/Action Images: Jason Cairnduff )

"That can cause a simple mistake, getting caught at fine leg or the boundary. And then game over for that batter."

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Russell will require close attention from team medical staff this week on a long-running knee issue, although he remained confident he would face Australia.

"This knee I have been playing for years with these knee injuries. Sometimes it feels worse than some days," Russell said.

"But at the end of the day I am a professional I know what to do to get back.

"I have five days before the next game and that is more than enough time to get my knee back to normal, to get it settled."

Meanwhile, Gayle looked troubled by his ongoing back issues against Pakistan and at times limped between the wickets in his 50.

"The mere fact they sent the physio back off the field is a promising sign," captain Jason Holder said.

"We've got five days to see how he pulls up in the next couple of days."

AAP/ABC