BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – West Indies manager Joel Garner has dismissed recent criticisms leveled at the Caribbean side by former coach John Dyson, stressing that they had moved on from the Australian’s era.
“He was with us for about 18 months or so and I think that was more than adequate time if you did the job you were supposed to do in trying to get some sort of order or whatever was needed,” Garner told local media here.
“I’m not going to say too much about his tenure but we’ve moved on. We’re looking to a different approach to how we did things and that is it.”
Dyson last weekend gave the Windies little hope in their three-Test series against Australia, contending they were ill-prepared for the tour.
Fired in August after a second string Windies side was mauled by Bangladesh, Dyson said the Caribbean side were in no shape to face the World champions especially following the contracts dispute that kept the best players out of action.
“You can’t see that (West Indies winning) happening,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Dyson as saying.
“Because of the lack of cricket and the preparation that they’ve had, it’s going to be a difficult summer. They just haven’t played enough serious cricket – most of them have been on strike. They’re going to have to find form very quickly.”
But Garner, who captured 259 wickets from 58 Tests in his playing days, backed the team to do well in the series once they remained focused.
“I’m hoping that they settle down fairly quickly and are disciplined, and if they are disciplined I don’t think they will have any problems,” he said.
“I think most of the time you get into trouble as bowlers is when you start experimenting.”
West Indies face Australia in the first Test starting on November 26 at the Gabba and will play subsequent Tests in Adelaide and Perth in December.