Windies battle dreary English weather as tour set to bowl off

LONDON, England, CMC – West Indies have been urged to adapt quickly to the  difficult conditions here, after being greeted by typical cold, wet English weather on their arrival for the two-Test tour this week.

The squad arrived on Thursday and were immediately hit with the realities of England’s dreary April weather with overcast skies and chilly temperatures proving a sharp contrast to what they had left in the Caribbean hours earlier.

Team manager Omar Khan said despite the unkind weather, the players needed to make the adjustments quickly and begin their preparation for what would be a tough battle in the Test series.

“The guys are all in good spirits and they are ready for battle against England. Since our arrival here, the rain has been falling; the skies are grey, and it is very cold,” Khan said.

“These conditions are not what the boys would be accustomed to back home, and it is critical that they try their best to adapt as quickly as they can.
“We have already held a team meeting, and we have indicated to the players that things would be tough in England and they need to put out their best.”

 West Indies vice-captain Denesh Ramdin (left) chats with team rookies Nelon Pascal, Dale Richards and Lionel Baker (from left to right) prior to their departure for England on Thursday. (Photo by Digicel Cricket)
West Indies vice-captain Denesh Ramdin (left) chats with team rookies Nelon Pascal, Dale Richards and Lionel Baker (from left to right) prior to their departure for England on Thursday. (Photo by Digicel Cricket)

West Indies open their tour with a three-day match against Leicestershire on Monday before clashing with Essex from April 25-27 in another three-day encounter.

The tourists will then meet the country’s A side, England Lions in another three-day encounter starting April 30 before the first Test bowls off at Lords on May 6, with the second Test scheduled to run from May 14-18 at Chester-le-Street.

Despite the unfavourable weather, the regional side still managed to train on Friday as they looked ahead to their first tour match.
“What we have also told them is that they need to focus on the games and the battle against England and forget about the weather and things like that. They are professional sportsmen, and they have to adapt to all playing conditions,” Khan pointed out.

“They have three warm-up matches to play, and we would be hoping to give everyone a run in those games, so that when the Test battle starts they would be ready for the English.”

West Indies enter the series on the back of a 1-0 series win over the English in the Caribbean last month, a victory that saw them reclaim the Wisden Trophy after almost 10 years.