First came the painful home truths.
Then began five days of sweat and toil as the West Indies try to respond to their second-Test mauling from New Zealand ahead of the series finale in Hamilton next week.
Coach Ottis Gibson says the tourists’ changing shed wasn’t a pleasant environment immediately after the meek innings and 73-run loss inside three days at the Basin Reserve.
“Embarrassed was mentioned. Lack of fight was mentioned. Those are things you don’t want to be hearing too often in your dressing room,” he said.
“New Zealand are playing very well but we’re not standing up to what they’re offering. That’s the disappointing thing.”
Gibson oversaw a lengthy practice session behind closed doors on Saturday.
More hard work is expected ahead of the third Test starting at Seddon Park on Thursday where the West Indies must defy momentum if they are to level the series following a drawn first Test in Dunedin where they were mostly outplayed.
Gibson says the two teams are largely the same as 18 months ago when the West Indies comfortably won both Tests played in the Caribbean.
He says while conditions play a large role in Test cricket, the reversal in fortunes shouldn’t be so stark.
“As a bowling group we haven’t stuck to plans for long enough and as a batting group we aren’t riding out the good periods when New Zealand are on top.
“All it requires is a bit of application and someone to dig in.
“They have got bowlers who are using the conditions far better than we are and a batsman who is in great form (Ross Taylor). Those are the differences at the moment.”
Changes in personnel won’t be considered until they get to Hamilton and inspect conditions which they anticipate will again suit swing bowling.
Gibson says when arriving in New Zealand they regarded a drawn Test series as a good result given the Black Caps’ improved form on home soil in recent campaigns – most notably a 0-0 draw with England this year.