Rain washes out World Cup warm-ups (9 May 1999)

9 May 1999

Rain washes out World Cup warm-ups

The Barbados Nation

Bristol, England - West Indies managed action for 16.3 overs only before rain put an end to their opening World Cup warm-up clash against Gloucestershire at Bristol yesterday.

After winning the toss and batting, West Indies had struggled to 58 for three in the 17th over when play was washed out for the day.

Ridley Jacobs was the first to go for only six and Michael Cawdron then removed Sherwin Campbell (28) and Stuart Williams in quick succession before the heavens opened.

The West Indies left out injured captain Brian Lara, paceman Reon King, off-spinner Nehemiah Perry, and veteran fast bowler Courtney Walsh who split from Gloucestershire in acrimony last season after playing with them for 14 years.

Gloucestershire seamer Mike Smith took one wicket for three runs in his opening five-over spell.

The West Indies play their first World Cup group B game here against Pakistan on May 16. They have further warm-up games against Warwickshire tomorrow and Surrey on Wednesday.

West Indies' coach Malcolm Marshall told CANA before the game that the team practised on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but the players were kept indoors on Friday as rain fell for most of the day.

"We got in a fair amount of practice. The players looked quite good in the nets," Marshall said.

He said the players were not under any pressure as they were not among the favourites to win the World Cup.

"We all know what we are here to do and achieve. We are quite confident that we can win it. Obviously, the favourites are South Africa and Australia. A lot of people are also saying Pakistan and England.

"From a betting point of view, we will not be one of the favourites but we know what we are capable of. We had a very good series (against Australia) in the Caribbean," Marshall said.

"We have a lot of guys who played here before in English conditions and we will take it game by game."

Marshall said it was hoped that Lara, who is nursing a wrist injury, will be able to play in the Windies' opening Cup match.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)