Report

Wet run-ups deny West Indies practice

West Indies were once again left cursing the English weather as the final day of their only warm-up match was washed out at Taunton

Cricinfo staff
14-May-2007
West Indians 237 for 4 (Morton 103*, Chanderpaul 82*) drew with Somerset
Scorecard
West Indies were once again left cursing the English weather as the final day of their only warm-up match was washed out at Taunton. Although the rain relented umpires Roy Palmer and Stephen Garratt felt the run-ups weren't safe and abandoned the match shortly after 1pm.
It leaves West Indies severely short of practice ahead of Lord's on Thursday and the players had to be content with extra sessions in the indoor school. During the only player possible, 48 overs on the first day, Runako Morton hit 103 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul was left unbeaten on 82.
"I was trying to get a feel for the wicket and see what the ball was doing while keeping an eye on the weather situation as well, I realised that we couldn't do anything rash," said Chanderpaul. "I wasn't timing the ball as well as I would have liked but the main thing is that I was still out there and still batting and feeling my way."
Despite such a small about of cricket, Ramnaresh Sarwan wasn't overly concerned about the lack of middle time for his team. "To be honest I don't think that we can be too worried about that now. I think it has got to the point now that we are professional players and we just have to cope with the situation.
"It is a bit disappointing for the boys not to be able to get any more play here than we have, but we have still got two more days of preparation before the first Test on Thursday. It is very important now that we stay mentally ready and prepare ourselves as best we can whenever we get the opportunity to practice whether it is indoor or outdoors."
Corey Collymore, one of the bowlers unable to have a run-out, said: "It is a bit irritating that we have not been able to get out into the middle and get into our rhythm, get accustomed to the conditions and get a few balls in, but we are all professionals and have had the chance to bowl in the indoor school so we should be okay."

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