Brathwaite: Young batting group must learn quickly

ADELAIDE, Australia (CMC):

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said it was critical his young batting unit learned quickly, after watching them crumble in the first Test against Australia here yesterday.

The Caribbean side were turned over for 188 and 120 in the first Test, resulting in a 10-wicket defeat before lunch on the third day at Adelaide Oval.

“I think as batsmen it was good for the guys to get out there and get a feel of Test cricket, a feel of what it is like playing against the number one bowling lineup in the world,” said Brathwaite, a veteran of 88 Tests.

“And for them, it is to mentally prepare themselves for how they want to score runs and how they want to score – putting away the bad balls.

“I just think that whole experience of getting out there will help them and it’s important for them to learn and obviously learn fast.”

West Indies arrived here for the two-Test tour with an inexperienced squad, headlined by seven uncapped players.

And with debuts handed to all-rounders Justin Greaves and Kavem Hodge, West Indies entered the Test with an untried middle order which was quickly found out by the Aussie bowlers.

Brathwaite said even though the duo failed to get among the runs, he remained impressed with the character they showed.

“I was very happy with what I saw from Hodge,” he said.

“He didn’t get any runs but in the first innings I saw him leave some balls and defend some balls and he looked the part. Obviously it’s just to take that into performing and getting runs out there and spending time.

“And Greaves was obviously outstanding with the ball as an all-rounder and the catching at slip was good – I’m not surprised by that – and he played a decent innings in the second innings.

“He showed some fight, so I am happy. I think it’s good for the guys to get out there and play and experience what it is to play international cricket.

“It’s great to be playing against the number one team in the world – you pretty much know where you stay after here.”

The standout in both innings for West Indies was 23-year-old left-hander Kirk McKenzie who made exactly 50 in the first innings and 26 in the second, in only his second Test.

And while praising McKenzie, Brathwaite said the overall batting group needed to improve their execution in the Brisbane Test starting next week.

“Obviously Kirk played well in the first innings but we didn’t get the scores so obviously that is what let us down in this Test match,” he pointed out.

“Some of the shots were on and we still managed to edge them to slip so better execution [is required] especially with those attacking shots where you’re looking to score.

“Some of the guys showed some good fight, they showed some good defence but … we did not execute as good as we should have.”

Final scores: West Indies 188 (Kirk McKenzie 50, Shamar Joseph 36; Pat Cummins 4-41, Josh Hazlewood 4-44) and 120 (Kirk McKenzie 26, Justin Greaves 24; Josh Hazlewood 14-6-35-5, Nathan Lyon 2-4, Mitchell Starc 2-46).

Australia 283 (Travis Head 119, Usman Khawaja 45, Nathan Lyon 24; Shamar Joseph 20-2-94-5, Justin Greaves 2-36, Kemar Roach 2-48) and 26 without loss.