Even Shane Warne feels sorry for besieged West Indies captain Jason Holder.
On a day when 24-year-old Holder's leadership was questioned in the first Test against Australia in Hobart, Warne admitted he could at least empathise.
Holder appeared a man between a rock and a hard place after senior players showed little interest in helping his dire cause at Bellerive Oval.
Perhaps in the most damning indictment, it was revealed strike bowlers Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor told Holder they didn't want to run up the hill and into the breeze at the southern end in Australia's stunning 4(dec)-583 first innings.
Australia was inspired by a new fourth-wicket Test-record stand of 449 by Adam Voges (269no) and Shaun Marsh (182).
Roach tried to justify their poor on-field body language.
"Watching them bat is tough on us as bowlers," he said of the record stand.
"Once we lift our heads in tough times even better."
Holder's fortunes didn't change with the bat.
His leadership was again queried when he did not challenge what turned out to be a dodgy LBW call on 15 after consulting veteran Darren Bravo at the non-striker's end, leaving the tourists reeling at 6-116 in reply.
Bravo (94no) at least tried to rectify his ill-judged call by steering the Windies to 6-207 at stumps on Friday - still trailing the hosts by 376 with three days to play.
Warne backed Holder as Windies captain despite their horror start to the three-Test series - but admitted the youngster desperately needed help from more senior colleagues.
Warne took aim at the likes of old Big Bash League sparring partner Marlon Samuels who could be seen standing with his hands in his pockets as the bowler walked in.
"Why is he standing there like that? You've got to show some interest," Warne said as Nine Network commentator.
But as a captain, Warne said of Holder: "I think he is a talented cricketer.
"But he is in charge of a young side that are just not playing well.
"I think international cricket needs the Windies playing well so he's got a tough job ahead of him."
Ex-Australian Test batsman Tom Moody went one step further by revealing Holder's strike bowlers' inexplicable request.
"I spoke to him (Holder) last night and he said none of the quicks wanted to bowl from that southern end," Moody told Fox Sports.
"Bowling into that breeze up hill was a challenge for them but at the end of the day you have to do your work.
"To me it was a little bit sad to see Jason Holder left on his own there.
"You need a couple of senior men to stand up and help him navigate through those difficult hours of play."
