My theory that two spinners in the Caribbean were a must for Australia to cleansweep the Windies was blown out of the water in the first two sessions at Roseau overnight.

I felt the spin friendly surfaces of Windsor Park in Roseau and Kingston in Jamaica would prompt the promotion of Fawad Ahmed into Australia’s elite XI in tandem with Nathan Lyon… with the Australians likely to revert to its normal three paceman and one spinner during the Tests in England and Wales.

But  Michael Clarke played three speedsters and Farad remained on the sidelines and the Windies were blasted by Messrs Johnson, Hazlewood and  Starc, who took eight wickets between them. Game over.

The preference for a second spinner rather than an additional speedster had been favoured, especially after the Australian victory three years ago in Roseau was dominated by the spin of Lyon and captain Michael Clarke, who took a rare five-for. David Warner even took a wicket with his occasional leggies.

Clarke will not risk his suspect fitness with anything more than a few overs maximum in these Tests. He has his eyes firmly on the upcoming Ashes contests.

Windsor Park is Australia’s first Test since the New Year. Clarke is among three changes to the XI, with Chris Rogers (concussion), Ryan Harris (unavailable) and Joe Burns (dropped) the three to miss.