Windies looking to exploit Australia’s weaknesses: Holder

Jason Holder is confident West Indies can exploit Australia’s “weaknesses” in the middle order as the sides prepare for a three-match Test series.

The Frankston product is equal sixth on the Sheffield Shield wicket-takers table after four rounds this season with 12 scalps, and of the players who have played just three matches, only Queensland veteran James Hopes (14) sits ahead of him. “In that sense, be a little more aggressive and be smart … not reckless but at the end of the day be smart and back our abilities”.

Meanwhile, pace spearhead Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the squad due to a stress fracture in his right foot sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide. “We’ve been very pleased with the way he’s played when he has played”, selector Rod Marsh told reporters.

“We think he is ready to compete at Test level if required”.

“Once Mitchell Starc went down everyone’s mind turned straight to Nathan Coulter-Nile”.

Boland, who is fresh from taking career-best figures of 7-31 against Western Australia on the weekend, admitted he has dared to dream about wearing the baggy green at the MCG later this month.

Marsh added: “Hopefully all the bowlers from the Adelaide Test recover well over the next few days but we are mindful our fast bowlers have had a heavy workload over this series”.

Once unstoppable, the Windies have not recorded a Test series win away against any nation except for minnows Zimbabwe and Bangladesh since a 1-0 triumph in New Zealand in February 1995.

Coulter-Nile, 28, has yet to play a five-day game, but has been around the Aussies’ one-day squad for some time.

“Getting fitter and stronger, it’s allowed me to bowl longer spells and sustain my pace for a lot longer throughout the day”.

Simpson had not played a Test match for a decade when he turned out for the home series against India in which he scored two centuries. “No, you have to respect a bloke when he retires”.

Jackson Bird, who played the most recent of his three Tests in the 2013 Ashes, is back to full fitness but wasn’t seriously considered. He’s bowling very well at the moment and is not far off selection. “You don’t go there”.

Australia’s middle order is the least experienced part of the test team, with Sean Marsh, Adam Voges, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill all still trying to establish themselves in the side.