Former Windies great Michael Holding has warned the Aussies to be ready for the Calypso Fire. The Caribbean side is all set to face Australia for a two-match test series from Wednesday. The first test will be played in Perth and the second in Adelaide.
In a video shared by broadcaster Channel 7, Holding can be seen as a reminder of the great old days of Windies dominance over World Cricket. “Remember me? Remember us? They used to call me the Whispering Death. Let me whisper: the Windies are on their way.
With a Test rivalry dating back to 1930, Australia and the West Indies have produced some of the sport’s most memorable moments. Recalling the old days, Holding said: “Through the eras of Bradman, Benaud (Richie Benaud) and Border (Alan Border) our battles have been fought with equal ferocity. We hit you with our best, you hit us with your best With the passage of time, we have witnessed tests so immersive and captivating that we just couldn’t be separated, spells of bowling were unleashed that tested time for survival.
Recalling the batting talent, Holding said, “And those flaming bats – Chris (Gayle), Brian (Lara), Sir Viv, a sight to behold. Our shared history is littered with performances that have built reputations. That gave rise to the giants of the game. Browns were calypso… and fire in the middle was horribly hot.
Watch video:
🤫 ′′ Listen carefully. Let me whisper, the Windies are on their way.
Australia. West Indies. The Test Summer starts on Wednesday #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/WToz23XVSo
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 28, 2022
“We were the most powerful, most intimidating team the cricketing world has ever seen. Lloyd, Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Marshal, I could go on and on. Ambrose, Walsh, we were ruthless. We were ruthless,” he added.
Channel Seven have announced their list of commentators ahead of the series. From the opening day of the first Test at Optus Stadium on Wednesday 30 November, Ian Bishop and Michael Holding will be part of cricket’s premier commentary team, while Justin Langer will compete in all five Australian Tests alongside the game’s most astute commentator, Ponting.
Teams:
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
West Indies (Out): Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seals, Devon Thomas.