CHELMSFORD, England, CMC – West Indies have remained upbeat ahead of their preparation for the upcoming Test series even though rain ruined the final day of their three-day tour match against Essex yesterday.

Heavy rain on Sunday night continued into yesterday, forcing umpires David Millns and Steve O’Shaughnessy to abandon the day’s play at 1.30 pm without a ball being bowled at County Ground in the East Midlands.

Essex were 175 for three in the second innings after making 263 in the first innings. The Windies made 146 in the first innings.

The washout denied the tourists’ a chance to atone for their poor first innings showing when they were dismissed for 146 but coach John Dyson said their preparation remained on course for the first Test which bowls off next Wednesday.

“Ideally we would have liked another hit (second innings) but we can’t control the weather. We just have to move on to the next match at Derby and make the most of that opportunity,” Dyson pointed out.

“In this game we did not bat very well and the guys know that. The one exception was Shiv (Shivnarine Chanderpaul), and he will always be Shiv … he just bats and bats and that will always be his style.

“We are not down at all. We know what we have to do and we are confident of doing well.”

Chanderpaul hit a resolute unbeaten 66 not out off 107 to notch the 87th half-century of his first-class career but only three other batsmen made into double figures with the highest being 14 by Brendan Nash.

The strong point for West Indies was the bowling of their reserves as they limited Essex to 263 in their first innings. They were 175 for three in their second innings overnight.

“The bowlers have all bowled some good spells and it is a matter of being consistent. The guys will be looking to tune-up with the prospect of playing in the Test matches so we will be expecting some good performances in Derby” Dyson pointed out.

West Indies will play their final warm-up match on Friday against England Lions at Derby, before moving on to Lord’s for the first Test.
Scores:

ESSEX  263  (Jaik Mickleburgh 58, Varun Chopra 50, Alastair Cook 46, James Middlebrook 46, James Foster 23; Narsingh Deonarine 3-32, Lionel Baker 2-39, Andrew Richardson 2-51) and 175-3 (Alastair Cook 74 not out, James Foster 48 not out; Lionel Baker 2-31, Nelon Pascal 1-23)

WEST INDIES 146 (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 66; Maurice Chambers 4-62, Mervyn Westfield 3-25, Jahid Ahmed 2-55).