Australian selector Mark Waugh blasts Windies ahead of second Test

Melbourne: Australian selector Mark Waugh has launched a scathing attack on the West Indies cricket team ahead of the second Test match scheduled to start on Boxing Day (December 26) in Melbourne.

Waugh has also lashed out at senior members of Jason Holder’s outfit following their ignominious defeat against Australia inside three days in the opening Test, reports CMC.

The former Australian cricketer has singled out top order batsman Marlon Samuels and wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Ramdin, questioning their roles in the struggling side.

Waugh is predicting that if the West Indies do not lift their game, the remaining two Tests would be over in three days as well.

“He is a problem,” said Waugh on Saturday, referring to Samuels.

“There is definitely an issue with the senior players in that group. Without knowing exactly what is going on in the dressing room, you can see there is no team camaraderie there or willingness for the senior players to drive any intensity."

He added: “Their game awareness (in the first Test) and tactically they were very naive. If they do that again in Melbourne there will be the same result (in the second Test). The same in Sydney (third Test).”

The West Indies have made a horrible start to their tour of Australia and are under pressure to improve ahead of the Melbourne Test.

They lost their opening four-day tour match to a Cricket Australia XI by ten wickets and then were hammered inside three days by an innings and 212 runs in the opening Test in Hobart.

Waugh, who played 128 Test matches for Australia scoring 8029 runs with 20 centuries, says Holder’s players have abandoned him.

“Jason Holder the skipper has no one around him,” said Waugh, who was one of the world’s most elegant stroke makers during his playing days.

“Holder is the captain but he doesn’t seem to have control or back-up from the senior players."

“(Dinesh) Ramdin, the wicketkeeper, they need more out of him with the bat and tactically.”