Windies Test record already lost, says Richards

Former West Indies batting star Sir Vivian Richards has already conceded one of his team's most prized cricketing records will be lost to Australia this weekend.

Speaking in Perth, the former great said on Wednesday that he expects Australia to beat the struggling West Indies in the second Test starting Friday, handing the home team a record 12th consecutive Test victory.

That would pass the lofty 11 mark set by the powerful West Indies team of the mid-80s and equalled by the Aussies after their crushing innings victory over the once-mighty Calypso Kings last weekend.

"Nothing can convince me now from what we have seen that it's going to get any better," he said.

"I believe we're going to get a little bit more hiding before we get our act together."

He said a lack of planning during the West Indies' reign of supremacy was the catalyst for their fall, which has included a wretched losing run away from home.

Richards will be at the WACA Ground this weekend but he said watching his team's record fall would be "part and parcel of sport."

He might also witness the demise of another personal milestone with Australian captain Steve Waugh closing in on his runs aggregate.

The West Indian is fifth on cricket's all-time list with 8540 runs, but Waugh is within touching distance after bringing his tally to 8414 runs after last week's opening Test in Brisbane.

Pakistan's Javed Miandad is next with 8832 followed by England's Graham Gooch (8900), Sunil Gavaskar of India (10122) and Australian Allan Border (11174).

Brian Lara (5812) is the best of the West Indies' current brigade, but the left-hander has been in poor touch since arriving in Australia, scoring zero and four in the first Test.

Richards however warned against writing Lara off during the summer Down Under.

"We've seen Brian Lara down before and never write him off," he said. "I never write an individual off until the fat lady sings."

Mail Cricket Editor