ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – Tim Nielsen believes West Indies can bounce back in the second Test against Australia, starting on Friday at Adelaide Oval.
Australia crushed West Indies by an innings and 65 runs inside three days in the opening Test at the Gabba to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, and the home team’s coach feels the conditions in this city would more favour West Indies than those in Brisbane.
“They come to [Adelaide], where the pitch won’t bounce or the ball won’t swing as much,” he said.
“Naturally, I think the conditions will suit them. Ideally for them, they’ll have Ramnaresh Sarwan back in their side which will be a real injection of quality.”
He added: “So we’ve got a challenge on our hands to make sure we’re playing the best possible cricket we can in these conditions, and we don’t let them up off the mat.”
Nielsen has complained that too much time and energy have been spent in Australia condemning West Indies, and not praising his side for their efficient performance.
“I thought we played some pretty good cricket throughout the three days, and really didn’t give them an opportunity at any stage in the game to get into the contest,” he said.
“I think maybe the focus has been on how poorly West Indies have played when at the time it may well have been on how well we played.”