King: Windies batsmen lacked experience

The Windies played without double world record holder Brian Lara and some other front-line batsmen — including Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan —and lost the two-match Test series 2-0 before failing to make it to the final of the triangular one-day series that also involved India.

The trio and several others, like Wavell Hinds, opted to not take part in the tour because of an unresolved contract row between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the players’ union, and King said "inexperience" among the batsmen contributed to the team’s downfall.

"There was a lot of inexperience. I think what the players found out was that from a batting perspective, you really need experience and that’s one of the key areas where we didn’t (have the know-how)," the Australian said.

He said the bowlers performed with credit against the Sri Lankans in both Tests.

"I think from a bowling perspective we didn’t do too bad. We were able to get the sides out and put pressure on them. But I think all in all they (our bowlers) showed some depth for our future.

"I’m really disappointed that we came away without any victories as such in the Test series and I really thought we should made the (Tri-Nation) final and competed well there too."

He said players who performed well now have a chance to make the tour of Australia in November.

"Yeah, definitely. I think it will be a squad of 14 or 15 for Australia so you might definitely see a number of these players sticking their hand up.

There are casualties in war.

"Some of these players performed reasonably well so they deserve their opportunity if they get it in the future," King said.

He is also welcoming the headache the selectors might face in coming with the squad for the tour Down Under.

"It is not a bad position to be in. That remains to be seen but certainly it is a nice position to be where we see five or six people who can press for bowling spots and probably an extra five or six extra people who can press for batting spots as well. Hopefully, all in all it is putting us in good stead."

Since his appointment last November, King has had to contend with the on-going dispute between the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and the WICB.

But he said he still relished the prospect of helping the team rebound.

"(I’ve have had) no second doubts whatsoever. Like I said before, to get me out of here you are going to need a crowbar because I’m just enjoying myself.

"It’s really good fun and the players have responded really well and it is a wonderful place to be and the people love their cricket. Why would I want to leave?"

Asked about the team turning the proverbial corner, King responded: "I don’t like to use those sort of terms like turn the corner. What I see are people improving as human beings, improving in their cricket environment and actually improving their cricketing skills. So all that been equal other sides are going to do the same. We have to make sure that our acceleration is a bit quicker than the other people.

"Certainly for the World Cup, which is a prime focus for everybody, we are very excited about some of the prospects that are coming through.

"The next assignment for the players is the regional one-day tournament in October followed by the Carib Beer Series in November.