
Adams MELBOURNE, CANA:
THE West Indies are not ready to name the eleven players who will meet Australia in the first cricket Test at Brisbane.
"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-seeking Australians at the Gabba.
The visitors chances of stopping Australia's 10-match winning streak appear remote after Sunday's capitulation to Victoria at the MCG, when they folded for 114 to lose by an innings and 63 runs.
The West Indies were close to full-strength, with uncapped 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 player Brian Lara, who was exposed to the new ball early against Victoria at No.3 after the early loss of under-performing opener Darren Ganga.
Adams conceded Lara had batted at No.3 as a dress rehearsal for the Test but the skipper said all possibilities would be reviewed before the series got underway.
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 said.
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 Monday to begin final preparations for the Test.