Australia have their eyes on regaining the top Test ranking as they set about retaining the Frank Worrell Trophy against the dispirited West Indies in Saturday’s second Test in Melbourne.
Australia lie third on the ICC Test ladder, behind South Africa and India.
If South Africa lose their four-Test series with England which begins on Boxing Day then Australia will grab top spot if they can sweep the West Indies series 3-0.
Photo: EPA
That looks on the cards after the Windies were thrashed by an innings and 212 runs inside three days in the first Test in Hobart. They last won a Test in Australia almost 18 years ago.
Jason Holder’s West Indies have been pilloried as one of the worst touring teams to head to Australia in recent times and have struggled to be competitive in all their tour games, even against modest opposition.
“We know we’ve got a big Test series here, then against New Zealand, to achieve the No. 1 status,” Australia vice captain David Warner said. “Things have to play into our hands as well with South Africa’s series against England. We’ve got a big job at hand, our goal is to be No. 1 in all three formats.”
The dashing opener insisted complacency would not be an issue for Australia, despite the West Indies being forced to follow-on in Hobart.
“It did look like they did go through the motions when we were batting on that [first] day, when we batted big,” Warner said. “But it’s a new game. We’re all fired up and ready to go.”
The home side could make two changes with Usman Khawaja expected to return from missing the past two Tests with hamstring trouble, while newcomer Scott Boland might get his chance as a replacement for injured paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Khawaja has been sidelined since scoring 174 and 121 in the first two Tests against New Zealand last month and proved his fitness with an explosive 109 off 70 balls in the Big Bash League Twenty20 series last weekend.
The return of Pakistan-born Khawaja is expected to be at the expense of either Joe Burns or Shaun Marsh, who hit his highest Test score of 182 as Khawaja’s replacement in Hobart.
Darren Bravo, one of the Caribbean tourists’ few shining lights during the first Test, insists his side will be much better prepared for the Melbourne Cricket Ground showpiece on Boxing Day.
Bravo top-scored with 108 in the West Indies’ first innings, while opener Kraigg Brathwaite contributed 94 after Australia skipper Steve Smith enforced the follow-on.
The West Indies are considering recalling leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo after he claimed two wickets against a Victoria XI last weekend.
“He bowled better,” coach Phil Simmons said. “There was a lot more drive in his deliveries and everything like that.”
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