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West Indies not looking for excuses

The West Indies didn't offer any excuses for their loss to a CA XI

West Indies captain Jason Holder offered no excuses but plenty of home truths after his side's 10-wicket loss to a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane on Saturday.

A forthright Holder admitted his young team had to "look at ourselves in the mirror" after the near full strength Windies were outclassed by a CA XI with six first class debutants and an average age of 21.

It was the Windies' sole tour match before the first Test against world No.2 Australia in Hobart starting on Thursday.

Only rested bowling spearhead Jerome Taylor was missing from the Windies line-up at Allan Border Field.

All-rounder Holder admitted it would be a "challenge" to inspire his inexperienced line-up ahead of the Bellerive Oval Test but urged them to bounce back.

"The guys just have to take ownership sometimes," a brutally honest Holder said.

Quick Single: West Indies thrashed by young CA XI

"Once we own up to our mistakes we have to be positive and look at ways to improve.

"We are not looking for excuses, just ways to improve - that way we will move forward faster than we are at the moment.

"We need to pick ourselves up, look at ourselves in the mirror and find something in ourselves."

Holder tried to show the way on Saturday, stroking an impressive 65 to ensure the unheralded hosts at least batted again.

Holder shared a 79-run eighth wicket stand with tailender Kemar Roach (36) to push the Windies' second innings to 210 - setting a victory target of just 10 runs on the four-day clash's final morning.

The towering Holder also took 4-76 in the CA XI's mammoth 444 first innings.

The tourists did well just to make the hosts bat again after recovering from 7-97 on Friday.

Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce took 4-84 to ensure a quick kill on Saturday.

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Even the CA XI were surprised by the ease of their win.

"A little bit, but I think they got the worst of the conditions and it just shows the depth of Australian cricket," said Boyce of the match affected by rain throughout the first three days.