‘What's wrong?'

In the face of terribly disappointing performances in the early phase of the Australia tour, Mike Findlay believes 'something is wrong'.

But unlike most Caribbean supporters, the chairman of the West Indies selection panel is quietly upbeat that the regional side will put up a good showing against Test cricket's most consistent side.

'We are still trying to find out what is the problem, apart from the lack of discipline,' Findlay told SUNSPORT yesterday from his Kingstown, St. Vincent home.

'Why aren't the players understanding the need to discipline themselves and apply themselves at the wicket?'

His comments came following inept batting displays by the West Indies, who managed totals of 132 and 293 in their seven-wicket defeat against Western Australia and an all-out total of 167 on the first day of their latest firstclass match against Victoria.

`Same recklessness' : Findlay emphasised his remarks were based mainly on reports in the Press and he pointed to a report in which Colin Croft, covering the tour for CricInfo website, wrote: 'What is damning about this is that the same recklessness that ensued when the West Indies had been bowled out for 132 at Perth last week was again very evident at the MCG.'

'Is it that our standard in the Caribbean is so low that the players just can't adjust to the higher level?' Findlay asked.

'Something is wrong and we are still searching for answers.

'People used to blame the selectors for picking the wrong team, but we have exposed a number of players and we still haven't found the solution.'

Australia, ranked No. 1 among the 10 Test-playing nations, start a five-Test series against West Indies on Thursday as overwhelming favourites for a crushing series win.

Findlay, however, refuses to write off the regional side.

`Keep faith' : 'I'm still optimistic. I know how the Caribbean people feel, but we still have to have faith,' the former West Indies wicket-keeper said.

'Nobody is giving them a chance, but I think they can pull things back. They will recognise the difficulties they face and will want to pull themselves together.'

He also reiterated that some of the problems were off-field, pointing to attitude, commitment and fitness.

'These are problems we have got to address, but it is going to take some time. It will not happen overnight,' Findlay said.

He added the question of fitness was seriously discussed at a cricket subcommittee meeting in Antigua last month.

'Fitness is critical. It helps with your concentration, application and technique,' he said.

'Players can sometimes live with technical flaws if they understand their limitations and play within those limitations; but if you are unfit and the have technical flaws, you are in a lot of trouble.'