“Obviously we are going to cop a bit of criticism but we need to improve, no doubt about it”, Holder said.
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Sportsbet.com.au has posted a range of odds for this Thursday’s first Test in Hobart – and the entire three-Test series – and it’s sorry reading for the visitors.
Whereas the West Indies once filled to capacity cricket grounds like Lord’s and the Eden Gardens, Melbourne and Sydney, they are hardly likely to do so this time around; and whereas countries lined up to play the West Indies once upon a time, tours by the West Indies are run at a loss these days.
The line for Australia’s first innings total has been set at 446.5 runs.
It also boasts, in Nathan Lyon, a good, old fashioned off-spin bowler. “Don’t take it as gospel that we’ll beat them comprehensively, because we know what they’re like”.
The West Indies were crushed by 10 wickets in their only tour match before the first Test against a Cricket Australia XI featuring six players making their first-class debuts.
“We have to come out and execute our skills as well as we can”, he said.
Only captain Jason Holder emerges with much credit for the Windies, taking four wickets in their opponents’ first innings before contributing a counter-attacking 65 with the bat.
“We have to make the most of these coming days and make sure our preparation is right heading into the test. “We are at that stage where we are stagnant and have been for the past few months”.
“But you still want someone who can hit the right areas”.
With West Indies in trouble at 6-119 against Australia in Jamaica, Holder stepped in at No. 8 with an unbeaten 82 from 63 balls, helping his team to 220.
Selector Rod Marsh and coach Darren Lehmann have adopted a new criteria for Australia, with bowlers being able to operate around 140km/hr (87 mph).
Expressing views on his side’s upcoming tour to Australia, tour selector Walsh said that each of the players have a big role to play in the forthcoming series.
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“But at the end of the day we’ve got a lot of bowling stock around the country and the guys they’ve brought into the team are great bowlers with great records”.
