West Indies in England: More rest for weary

Arundel, England ' In deference to their seniority and their importance the West Indies have taken the rare decision to send Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh into the first Test on Thursday without any match'practice in the two weeks they would have been in England.

The two ageing but still vital fast bowlers confined themselves to needed rest, relaxation and net session while their teammates were involved in the'two matches so far against Worcestershire and Glamorgan.

They are again omitted from the team for the last match before the Test starting at the picturesque ground in the precincts of historic Arundel'Castle, today.

It is against Zimbabwe with whom they have recent familiarity and who are themselves on tour of England.

'We discussed the matter with 'Ambi' and Courtney,' manager Ricky Skeritt said last night. 'They actually wanted the lay-off themselves. They made the point that they had just come off two series in the Caribbean that were both physically and mentally demanding and they felt they would be better off for it, come Thursday.'

He also said both would have 'vigorous' work-outs in the nets in the five days leading up to the Edgbaston Test.

'They both know this will be their last time in England and they are bursting to make it a memorable series,' he said. 'They want to be fully ready for it.'

Reon King is also rested so that Nixon McLean has his third successive match. He bowled impressively in the narrow victory over Glamorgan on Thursday and Franklyn Rose, back in the team, should be aware of the competition.

Corey Collymore, still gradually feeling his way back after his long lay off, is the third fast bowler with Mahendra Nagamootoo to provide leg spin that has so far confused county batsmen

Skeritt had encouraging news on Wavell Hinds' left heel that was struck so hard while fielding at silly point on the final day against Glamorgan, he had to hobble off the field. He took an X-ray yesterday morning.

'It showed there was no fracture of the bone, but it's still quite sore and he will have intense treatment on it in the coming days,' the manager said. 'We'll know more as time goes on but right now I don't think we are too concerned about him being ready for the Test.'

Hinds' unbeaten 105 against Glamorgan made out of 153 while he was at the crease, was the only score of more than 50 in the match.

Others, however, have found it difficult to put bat to ball. The openers have hardly got a run, but even so, more than Brian Lara the one on whom all'the attention has been predictably focussed.

All will be hoping for better pitches than have so far been provided. Captain Jimmy Adams made the point after the Glamorgan lowscoring match that conditions bore little relation to what can be expected in the Test.

Team: Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Franklyn Rose, Corey Collymore, Nixon McLean.