The West Indies cricket team have taken the unprecedented step of issuing a public apology following their humiliating defeat in the first Test at Sabina Park. They were bowled out by England for 47 inside a session on the fourth morning, losing the match by ten wickets.

In an official release, the team said that they "sincerely apologised to the West Indies public for the shocking performance on the fourth day".

It was not only the defeat that caused uproar in the Caribbean. Immediately after the match, four of the West Indian squad were reportedly seen in one of the stands drinking and partying. The four were named in local media reports as allegedly being Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, Chris Gayle, Tino Best and Adam Sanford. Local reports claim they were seen on the Mound,­ a popular grass bank at the Blue Mountains End of the ground, with its own beach and swimming pool.

Ricky Skerritt, the West Indies manager, didn't mince his words. "I am disgusted at the thoughtlessness and shamelessness displayed by these players following such a horrific performance," he said, before insisting that the team would work tirelessly to fight back.

Gus Logie, the team's coach, was reported to be equally angry, but restrained himself in public, saying: "We will continue to ask the players for a higher level of discipline and a higher level of commitment to themselves and West Indies cricket."