Windies great Courtney Walsh queries Australia's pace obsession

West Indies fast bowling great Courtney Walsh has questioned Australia`s new pace obsession leading into this week`s opening Test in Hobart.

Walsh, the fifth all-time leading Test wicket-taker with 519 and second only to Glenn McGrath as most prolific paceman, said he was surprised by Australia`s wisdom of opting for those who bowl at speeds of above 140kph (87 mph).

Australia`s chief selector Rod Marsh used the reasoning last week in choosing Nathan Coulter-Nile in the squad for the first Test despite not having played a four-day game since March.

Walsh, who once featured in a dominant Windies attack that at times unleashed at least four lightning quicks, said he would not attempt to rejuvenate his team`s ailing Test hopes by adopting Australia`s approach.

"I think you have to play your best bowlers, if they happen to be quick then fine," Walsh, a selector, told reporters in Hobart late Sunday.

"But I wouldn`t be just selecting four bowlers just because they can bowl at 140kph -- maybe one or two.

"But you still want someone who can hit the right areas. It`s about getting the right combination together."

That appears a challenge for the Windies attack after they were outclassed by a young Cricket Australia XI batting line-up in their embarrassing 10-wicket tour loss in Brisbane over the weekend.

But Walsh backed Windies captain Jason Holder`s call that their bowlers could exploit Australia`s batting "weaknesses".

"I think so. If we play to our true potential, and our batsmen settle and make a decent score, it will be a very, very interesting series," he said.

"I don`t want to let the cat out of the bag but I am happy that they see weaknesses and I agree that there are weaknesses (in the Australian line-up).

"It`s about zeroing in on them and executing. I hope to see that in Hobart."