West Indies under fire over 'appalling' scenes in record loss to Australia

The West Indies are copping it around the cricket world after suffering their biggest-ever loss in Test history against Australia in Adelaide. Australia completed a comprehensive 2-0 sweep of the Windies on Sunday, bowling the tourists out for just 77 to record a 419-run win.

The win was Australia's biggest by runs against the West Indies and their third-largest against any team in history. It was the West Indies' heaviest defeat in terms of runs ever.

'INCREDIBLE': Cricket world erupts over Scott Boland feat

'DISGRACEFUL': Warner furore takes new twist as former PM hits out

Australia needed just 90 minutes to take the final six wickets required on Sunday, with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Michael Neser all finishing with three wickets apiece. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey also caught superbly behind the stumps.

Speaking after the match, stand-in captain Steve Smith dismissed concerns that the weak showing from the West Indies would mean the Aussies get a rude shock from South Africa when their three-Test series starts on Saturday. He said: "I don't think there are any concerns. It's probably not ideal that a few of our batters from six onwards haven't had a great deal of time in the middle.

"That is probably the only real concern if you want to call it that. But they are also spending a lot of time in the nets batting, and batting well."

Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head averaged more than 100 against West Indies. But that meant those below them batted for no more than 70 balls across the two Tests.

"It's a big step up," Smith said of South Africa. "They have a quality pace attack, some experience there."

Serious questions are now being asked about the once-feared West Indian team, who are now shadow of the team that dominated world cricket in the 70s and 80s. Australia piled on 1490 runs for the loss of just 19 wickets in the two-Test series, while claiming all 40 of the West Indies' wickets for 907.

Five of the West Indies' bowlers averaged more than 100 with the ball, as injuries also struck the tourists, some of whom have been in the country since late September due to the T20 World Cup. The horrible collapse came quickly on Sunday, as Starc starred with the pink ball again in his 3-29 and Carey took three exceptional catches off Neser in his 3-22.

"We didn't show any fight at all," West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite admitted. "Australia bowled well but we didn't fight."

Journalist Jack Mendal tweeted about the West Indies' performance: "Wow, West Indies lost by 419 runs, 77 all out. I don't understand why the tour is taking place to be honest, and I know England have lost heavily in Australia repeatedly; but this is a mismatch on another level. It's not a contest nor is it entertainment. Just a mauling."

Others described the Windies' display as 'appalling' and 'awful'.

Pat Cummins to return against South Africa

In welcome news for Australia, captain Pat Cummins is expected to return in the first Test against South Africa, however his pace partner Josh Hazlewood is long odds to play. Cummins has overcome a calf injury, while Hazlewood is battling a side strain.

"We have plenty of options in our cartel at the moment," said Smith, who stood-in as captain in Cummins' absence. Smith said the Aussies would need to be on guard for South Africa's fired-up pace attack.

"You just play what is in front of you," Smith said. "Sometimes when you're facing faster bowlers, that can be easier to score than when you are facing 130 (kmh) and nibbling them around.

"That's the key to any attack, is having that variety so you're never getting into a real rhythm as a batter. South Africa provide that, they have Nortje bowling 150 (kmh), Rabada 140 to 150 bowling slightly different, then a left-armer in Jansen as well, and then a spinner in Maharaj. So it will be a good challenge."

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.