Windies working on body language – Simmons

West Indies have vowed to improve their body language ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia, said coach Phil Simmons on Wednesday.

The Windies came in for stinging criticism following their crushing innings and 212 run defeat to Australia in the opening Test, having appeared to be disinterested during the rout in Hobart.

Former Australia spin-king Shane Warne headlined the critics, calling for more intensity from the embattled tourists.

And speaking to reporters in Melbourne, Simmons said the players have been hurt by criticism as bowling coach Curtly Ambrose attempts to preach good body language.

“Oh boy. We keep doing that every day,” Simmons said on Wednesday, after last week’s draw against a Victoria XI in a two-day tour match, which saw Jerome Taylor miss a catch because he was facing the crowd.

“Your body language always tells something to the other team. It’s something that especially Mr Ambrose tries to preach to them.

“It’s part of the game and you need to show the other team you’re in this.

“I think looking from outside it is a fair criticism. It looked like that.

“Of course it’s going to hurt. If it doesn’t hurt then something’s wrong. I know all the criticism we received before coming here has hurt.”

Simmons added: “We did have a word with Jerome.

“Some things you have a word and then you leave it.”