Holder bemoans 'horrible shots' in West Indies loss

West Indies captain Jason Holder has lamented the "soft dismissals" and "horrible shots" which led to his side's six-wicket defeat by Australia in their second match of the tri-nations series.

Sent in at the National Stadium here on Sunday, only two West Indies batsmen made it past 20 as the hosts were bundled out for a disappointing 116 off 32.3 overs, reports CMC.

Australia then coasted to their target in the 26th over with aggressive left-handed opener David Warner stroking a run-a-ball, unbeaten 55.

"If you went through the dismissals, there were quite a few soft dismissals," Holder told reporters.

"The Australians challenged us in terms of building pressure, but I don't think they got us out with any spectacular balls, per se. We just played some horrible shots out there at a crucial stage of the game which cost us our wickets."

The West Indies lost Andre Fletcher for four to the fifth ball of the game and never really recovered despite a 44-run, second-wicket stand between top-scorer Johnson Charles (22) and Darren Bravo (19).

Once Bravo gifted his wicket in the 12th over with a loose drive to cover off seamer Mitchell Marsh, the West Indies capitulated from 50 for one to lose their last nine wickets for 66 runs.

"We never really got any partnerships going, just not enough runs on the board, to be honest," Holder lamented.

"The bowlers didn't really have anything to bowl at, although we tried really, really hard and did get four of the Australians' wickets. I thought Sunil Narine came in and did an excellent job for us in the end and we got some wickets upfront."

The defeat came on the heels of the West Indies' victory over South Africa in their opening game of the tournament on Friday at the same venue, when they chased down 189 to win by four wickets.

--IANS

sam/vt