Burns researches Windies on YouTube

Australian opener Joe Burns is relying on YouTube footage to research the West Indies team ahead of their three-Test series.

Joe Burns

Joe Burns is relying on YouTube footage to research the West Indies team ahead of their Test series. (AAP)

Finding a highlights reel of the lowly ranked West Indies may prove a challenge these days.

But Australian opener Joe Burns reckons he is relying on YouTube footage of the unheralded tourists to prepare for their three-Test series.

The Windies have provided few memorable moments since their remarkable 15-year unbeaten Test series streak was broken by Australia in 1995 in the Caribbean.

And based on their ominous Australian tour start in Brisbane on Wednesday the memorable moments are about to start flowing again anytime soon.

The Windies limped to 6-154 in 60 overs against a second string Cricket Australia XI before rain ended the opening day's play.

Their prospects ahead of the first Test in Hobart against world No.2 Australia starting on December 10 appear as miserable as the Brisbane weather.

But Burns claims he did find enough useful Windies footage on YouTube to prepare for next week's Bellerive Oval clash.

"I have actually been watching them on YouTube," he said.

"I think they have a pretty decent new ball opening partnership with Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor."

Burns also seemed to be looking at the tourists through rose-coloured glasses after marvelling at the once mighty Windies as a kid.

"It is exciting to play against the West Indies, it was a team I grew up watching," he said.

"They have shown over a long period win, lose or draw, they are worth watching.

"And in international cricket there are no easy games. You have to make sure you are switched on."

Burns did not have to spend long researching Roach thanks to a recent painful stint as the lightning quick's Brisbane Heat teammate in the Big Bash League.

"He hit me a lot in the ribs in the nets," Burns said of Roach who famously made Ricky Ponting retire hurt at the WACA six years ago.

Burns even stood up for the unheralded Windies line-up that will be without the likes of ex-skipper Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, who will instead feature in the BBL this summer.

"I think they have had a pretty settled Test team for a few years now - we are not sure if those (BBL) guys are even good at Test match cricket," he said.

"All you can do is go on who they are selecting, and they are good players.

"You can't say their BBL guys should be playing because they (the current Test team) are decent players."

However, the jury is out on that after the Windies' woeful start to their four-day clash against a CA XI boasting six players making their first class debut.


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Source: AAP


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Burns researches Windies on YouTube | SBS News