SYDNEY, Dec 31: For West Indian cricket captain Richie Richardson.

1996 can't co-

me quickly enough.

Richardson is in doubt to lead his team In a day-night limited-over game against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground here Monday as the West Indies search for their first win in the World Series Cup competition after three losses, reports Reuter.

Richardson has a leg muscle injury from Friday's win over a Queensland XI in Toowoomba — the Caribbean tourists' first success in eight matches on tour — and will wait until the morning before deciding whether to play.

The 2-1 Test series loss to Australia in the Caribbean earlier this year and a subsequent 2-2 draw with England left West Indies with three wins from their last ten Tests.

Coupled with Brian Lara's withdrawal and the team's

poor record so far In Australia. 1995. has been a year to forget for the once-mighty Canbbean kings.

"1 can't recall It ever happening in the history ol West Indies cricket." Richardson said at Sunday's training.

"We haven't got the calibre of players v/e had in the past, but with the talent we've got now we should be doing a lot better.

"I’m a positive person and I’m looking forward to a much better 1996.

"I've put 1995 down as a

fleeted and looked at our , game before this stage, butt; ’hat's history now and we've just got to do the best we can io turn it around."

Australia have won theirs first three matches and are . coming off comprehensive . Test series victories over . Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Victorian seamer Paul,-Reiffe), Australia's best lim-ited overs bowler this year. returns from a hamstring in- : jury that kept him out of the . ■ side for the first three, ; matches. 4?

Reiffel was the stand out bowler in the New Zealand? Centenary tournament tri- c umph in February an<| carried 1 that form into the one-dayers ,■ in the West Indies even, though Australia lost 4-1

bad experience. These things are meant to test you."

The Windles have lost the first three of its eight World Series round robin matches and are in danger of missing the finals for only the third time in nine such trips to Australia.

When you look at our tour team, overall we have not been playing well in a lot of departments." Richardson said.

When you are lacking like that you have to sit down and analyse every aspect of your game.

"It’s very hard to win when you are low on confidence. but the morale in the team is pretty good at the moment. We realise our problems and are prepared to work hard.

"Even when we were winning there were bad habits that were creeping in. Because you’re winning you can ignore them. But at this stage, it's too late.

"We really should have re-