Simmons: Experienced players must lead the way
West Indies coach Phil Simmons says he will be banking on the experienced players in his squad to step up to the plate and perform in the upcoming three-match Test series away to Australia.
The Caribbean team, who start their tour on Wednesday with a three-day game against a Cricket Australia XI, will start the series against the hosts as overwhelming underdogs.
The quartet of Marlon Samuels, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin will need to perform for the visitors if they want to have a sniff in any of the matches.
Speaking about the more experienced squad members, Simmons said: "They are the ones we are banking on to give the knowledge to the younger players that haven't been here, but I think everyone has to take ownership over the next week so they know what to do when we get into the Test matches.
"I think the big thing is that we get accustomed to the wickets and get accustomed to the fact that the wickets are going to be good to bat on.
"The new ball is going to be a big thing and as long as we get accustomed to the wickets and batting on the wickets when it comes time to play the long innings we will be able to do it."
The Test series starts in Hobart on 10 December followed by the Boxing Day and New Year Tests in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
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