The West Indies were on the verge of a humiliating loss to a modest Cricket Australia XI after a disastrous third day in their four-day tour match in Brisbane on Friday. The Windies, needing a confidence-boosting showing ahead of next week's opening Test against Australia in Hobart, were humbled by a second-string CA XI. The Caribbean tourists were reduced to 125 for seven off 43 overs in their second innings, still trailing the CA XI by 76 runs with just three wickets left heading into Saturday's final day.
In their only outing before the three-Test series against world number two Australia, the near full-strength Windies were facing an embarrassing innings defeat against a side featuring six first-class debutants and an average age of 21. "It's hard to say whether it will be a psychological blow for them (ahead of first Test)," said CA XI all-rounder James Bazley. "I still think they can play strong cricket this series. But we have outplayed them, in my opinion." In what summed up the Windies' plight, captain Jason Holder was left reeling on his back after he copped a nasty blow to the groin from paceman Ryan Lees (3-37) late on Friday. Holder (26 not out) finally managed to get back on his feet after treatment.
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