Fast bowling great Dennis Lillee and Test cricket’s most successful leg-spinner Shane Warne were doubtful the tourists could make any impact against the World champions in the series which bowls off next Thursday at the Gabba.
“I still think Australia is going to be far better than them. I’ve got a feeling it will be pretty much Australia’s way, I’ve got to be honest,” said Lillee, who snatched 355 wickets in 70 Tests between 1971 and 1984.
Warne was just as unconvinced about the Windies’ ability to delivery anything special.
“Let’s just hope the West Indies surprise us – obviously their form at the moment is pretty ordinary,” he contended.
West Indies possess an abysmal record against the Australians, having not won a series against them in 15 years and having lost their last eight Tests.
They face the hosts with a side still on the rebound from a bitter contracts dispute and still short of vital match practice, after just a solitary warm up game against Queensland which finished in a draw yesterday.
Lillee pointed out that the West Indies unit simply did not stack up against the quality Australians.
“They (Australia) have got better young players in reserve, than it seems the West Indies,” Lillee argued.
“So they will pick a better side because they’ve got better cattle underneath, and really that’s what it’s all about. If you’ve got good reserves, your side’s always going to be on the way up.”
Warne, who enjoyed several battles against the Caribbean side during his 145 Tests, said while the Windies boasted several good players the true test would be their consistency.
“They need to hopefully lift, otherwise the Test series is just going to be a summer of enjoying our guys bat and bowl,” said Warne, who raked in a mammoth 708 wickets during his career.
“They have got some good players; it’s just a matter of whether they can sustain it for a period of time and keep that pressure on for a length of time, rather than have a good session here or there.”
To add to their already massive challenge, West Indies are also sweating on the return of talismanic opener and captain Chris Gayle who flew home to Jamaica last Wednesday to attend to his ill mother.
There has been no word on when he will return, leaving the squad without one of their most experienced players.
West Indies also face Australia in the second Test in Adelaide from December 4-8 before playing the final match in Perth from December 16-20.
