Simmons frustrated by Big Bash Windies

Phil Simmons admits it's frustrating to watch West Indian talent dominating the KFC Big Bash League while his undermanned Test side struggle against Australia.

As the West Indian coach prepares his team for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle will suit up for the Melbourne Renegades across town and will be little more than interested onlookers when the Test gets underway.

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The ongoing discord within the administration of West Indian cricket also has players of the calibre of Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons and Samuel Badree choosing the bright colours of the Big Bash over Test whites.

"I'm totally frustrated," Simmons said at the MCG today. "It's enjoyable to see Andre Russell bowling at 140kph and Bravo hitting three or four sixes and Chris back in it, and it is frustrating that we don't have them here playing in the Test series.

"But it's something that's been going on for a while and it's up to the administration to work out how we get to the stage of, let's say, New Zealand, because they have similar (issues) and they get all their players to play.

"It's up to our administration and our bosses to find out how is the best way to get these guys on the pitch."

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Simmons promised a much-improved effort by the players that he does have at his disposal after their dismal display in the first Test loss in Hobart.

Australian opener David Warner accused the tourists of going through the motions at times in Hobart, a criticism that Simmons couldn't refute on the evidence of the lacklustre first-up effort.

"I think looking from outside it is a fair criticism, it looked like that, and of course it's going to hurt," he said.

"If it doesn't hurt then something is wrong. I know all of the criticism that we received before coming here has hurt – all I can hope is that it pushes them as much as it pushes me.

"Your body language always tells something to the other team, so it's something that – especially (Curtly) Ambrose – keeps trying to preach to them.

"It's part of the game and you need to show the other team that you're in (the game). It's something we keep talking about."

The West Indies will need to make at least one change to their 11 because of injury to fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, but Simmons said that he would wait until he inspected the pitch on Thursday before deciding if leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo comes in.