Coach Bennett King has dismissed criticisms of the West Indies touring side by fast bowling great Michael Holding.

Holding, who helped spearhead the Windies to world cricket dominance in the 1970s and 1980s, said at the weekend, that the squad touring Australia had an attitude problem and faced a 3-0 series whitewash.

"People don't like to hear the truth but this group does not possess the right attitude to win Test matches," said the man who claimed 249 wickets in 60 Tests.

"I'm concerned about their general focus. They aren't focused on their game enough, they aren't focused on representing the Windies enough."

Holding, now part of Channel Nine's commentary team, seized on the disciplining of paceman Tino Best last week over a training incident as an example of the poor attitude within the squad.

But King defended his players and questioned Holding's knowledge of the current Windies squad.

"He's not privy to the group now I don't think," King said at a Brisbane luncheon.

"The group actually works really hard and I think publicly they're getting more acceptance.

"The more things they do right publicly I think the better they'll be accepted as well."

King, the former Queensland and Australian Cricket Academy coach who took on the tough task of rebuilding the Windies last year, said his squad was happy, competitive and dedicated.

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