Windies need to make most of game despite delays: Simmons

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies head coach Phil Simmons was left to lament even more wasted time as the second day of the fourth and final Test against India had to be abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield here yesterday.

Heavy rain resulted in only 1-¾ hours play on Thursday’s opening day but the outfield remained soft and after four inspections yesterday, umpires decided to call play off with not much improvement expected.

“It is a bit of a setback,” Simmons said afterward.

Match officials inspect the outfield before calling off play at Queen’s Park Oval yesterday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)
Match officials inspect the outfield before calling off play at Queen’s Park Oval yesterday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

“We can’t do anything about the weather but it is a bit of a setback having lost so much play in this game and it puts everything back a bit, in the way we intended to play the game so from that point of view it’s a setback.

Following a half-hour delay at the start because of rain, West Indies made their way to 62 for two, before the weather intervened again to force an early lunch.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite was unbeaten on 32 while senior player Marlon Samuels was on four not out.

In the play available, the Windies lost left-handers Leon Johnson for nine and Darren Bravo for 10.

Simmons said once play was possible today, West Indies needed to stay focussed on building a good total.

“The first thing we can do is continue to bat from 62 for two and make the best of our first innings and then see where we can take the game from there,” he said.

West Indies are looking to salvage pride in the Test after falling behind 0-2 in the series, following heavy defeats in the first Test in Antigua and the third game in St Lucia last week.