ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – Australian media continued to wage their psychological war with West Indies, when a former national captain called for the Caribbean side to be barred from playing Test matches.

Kim Hughes, whose Test career ended in ignominy 25 years ago when he resigned from the post of Australia captain in tears, following a crushing series defeat at the hands of West Indies, thinks the current side is a “joke”.

“It’s good for Australia to be winning, but this is not good for Test cricket,” said Hughes in analysing Australia’s innings and 65-run win in the first Test against West Indies inside three days at the Gabba.

“We should have countries that play only limited-overs cricket such as West Indies and Bangladesh until such time as they are worthy of playing Test cricket.”

He added: “Cricket in the West Indies is in disarray and they have a skipper that doesn’t even want to play Test cricket.”

Hughes condemned West Indies’ preparation for the series, and felt they should have pushed for more games in the lead-up to the series.

“They left their star bowler Jerome Taylor out as he needed a rest in the only four-day game they played, and he only bowled nine overs in the Test,” said Hughes, who played 15 of his 70 Tests against West Indies.

“This would suggest it is all a joke. Most hadn’t played any cricket with the red ball since May. Logic would tell you that if you hadn’t played Test cricket since May that you would need more lead-in games.”

The second Test of the three-match series opens on Friday (7:30 p.m.  tomorrow – East Caribbean Time).