Windies looking to exploit Aussie weaknesses — skipper
BRISBANE, Australia (CMC) — West Indies will be aiming to exploit some of the chinks in Australia’s armour which were exposed during the just-concluded series against New Zealand.
Australia beat the Black Caps 2-0 in the three-Test series, but suffered several anxious moments in the final Test in Adelaide when they scraped home by three wickets in pursuit of a meagre 187 for victory.
“We saw weaknesses where we could exploit, but it’s important we analyse each batsman and bowler and try to come up with game plans that are best suited for the conditions that we are playing in,” skipper Jason Holder told reporters here yesterday.
“There are some new faces mixed with some guys who have been in some rich veins of form. It’s important we put some pressure on their middle order. I think if we get early wickets with the new ball, you can get guys like Shaun Marsh and those guys who are now trying to make their way back into the side,[and] put them under some pressure to score.
“Once we can do that it will be a relatively competitive series. Obviously they have some in-form batsmen as I have said — David Warner and Steve Smith — so we need to put pressure on their middle order and try to get them out early and put the newer guys under some pressure.”
West Indies enter the series as heavy underdogs, with just one win in their seven Tests this year and languishing at number eight in the ICC Test team rankings.
They drew 1-1 with England in a three-match series in the Caribbean, and were swept 2-0 by the Australians a month later before being hammered 2-0 away to Sri Lanka earlier this month.
Holder said while a positive result would be a huge boost for the team and the Caribbean, what was more important was the team becoming more consistent over longer periods.
“[A good result] would do a lot for us back home. It would do a lot for us in the dressing room as well. I think once we do well here, what is important is we continue to do well. We’ve been at fault in the past for doing well here and then slipping behind in the next series,” the 24-year-old explained.
“Consistency is the name of the game for me, and once we’re consistent I’ll be pleased with the progression that we’re making. I just don’t want to win a series here and then don’t win another for two or three series. We need to make that steady progression forward.”
West Indies face Australia in the first Test of the three-match series starting in Hobart on December 10.
