West Indies’ feeble capitulation at Edgbaston in the first Investec Test, where they lost 19 wickets on the third day, drew condemnation from all corners but their straight-talking coach Stuart Law has fired back at some of the most forthright criticism – from the great fast bowler Curtly Ambrose.

Law acknowledged his side’s obvious shortcomings, but expressed regret that Ambrose, who was involved in coaching the side until May 2016, chose to voice his dismay in a column in the Daily Mail, rather than privately to the team. Ambrose called the performance “pathetic”, “embarrassing”, and “painful to watch”.

“That is disappointing,” Law said. “Curtly not long ago was a coach with this team so for him to make those criticisms is disappointing. We have to understand why it is there. We are not performing as well as we want. It would have been nice if he had come into the dressing room to talk to the guys and express his displeasure to us. That would have been awesome but that didn’t happen. What can we do? We have to get our noses down, our backsides up and play better.”

Law – who said both the fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and the leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo are fit and available for selection – said his young side’s conversations had been “honest” and that “guys have been asked to look at themselves in the mirror by the captain” since the humbling at Edgbaston.

Law believes the difficult conditions played their part but that West Indies, who are learning on the job, will come good given time. He cited the example of their series against Pakistan this year, when they were drubbed in the first Test but fought back to win the second.

“From 40C in Barbados to 13C in Birmingham – I would be walking around freezing my nuts off as well, with my hands in my pockets. The poor kids are freezing. Fielding at night time in England is not pleasurable and when it is overcast with mizzly rain it is even worse so, yes, once again people say it is an excuse but it is a fact.

“These young kids are learning in the toughest cricket arena in the world. International cricket’s pretty tough and in this part of the world, when you are playing against an experienced England side, it’s even tougher. Australia came here a couple of years ago, got bowled out for 60, so we’re not going too bad.”