Windies refuse to speculate on First Test team

MELBOURNE - The West Indies have refused to speculate on their first Test team to meet Australia after sifting through the rubble of yesterday's disastrous loss to Victoria at the MCG.

"It's too early to tell," captain Jimmy Adams said.

"We select the team the night before the Test so I would be speaking out of turn if I tried to answer that question."

The Windies will name their team late Wednesday night, barely 12 hours before they take on the record-breaking Australians at the Gabba.

Their chances of stopping Australia's 10-match winning streak seem remote after yesterday's capitulation to Victoria, when they folded for 114 to lose by an innings and 63 runs.

The losing team was close to full-strength, with paceman Marlon Black the only expected change to the Test bowling attack for leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Adams would not even discuss the likely batting role for star Brian Lara, who was exposed to the new ball early yesterday at No.3 after the early loss of under-performing opener Darren Ganga.

Adams admitted that Lara had been played at No.3 as a dress rehearsal for the Test but the skipper said all possibilities would be reviewed before the series began.

The Windies have admitted their frustration at the disappointing batting performances which have left the tourists in disarray. Their four first-class innings in Australia have returned totals of 132, 293, 167 and 114.

"We know those scores won't win Test matches," Adams said.

"But the guys have been working. Whenever they've had a spare moment since arriving here they've been in the nets.

"If it's raining they're indoors if it's not then they're outdoors so I can't fault that. I really can't."

Adams called on his batsmen to pay more attention to the basics - building partnerships and batting through sessions - and said all of the 16 touring players had to take responsibility for a recovery.

"It won't happen without the entire team. Everyone has a role to play even players who are young players and who might be struggling," he said.

"It won't happen if one man stands up. It has to be a whole team approach." The Windies were hoping to arrive in Brisbane today to begin final preparations for the Test.

The Australian squad will gather today for their first Test match since April's clean sweep in New Zealand, which completed a flawless summer.

Australian selectors must cut one player from the squad but they will delay a decision until more is known about the likely conditions at the Gabba.