CaribWorldNews, LEICESTERSHIRE, England, Tues. April 21, 2009: The West Indies started their tour of England with an excellent bowling display dismissing Leicestershire County Club for 182 on the opening day of their three-day match at Grace Road on Monday.
In reply the West Indies closed on 80-4 and will have some hard work ahead of them when play resumes on Tuesday morning.
Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn bowled with great control and accuracy to take 4-31 from 15 overs while right-arm pacer Andrew Richardson snatched 3-46 in his first bowl in Windies senior team colours.
Benn, always full of confidence, came on and troubled the home team’s batsmen from the start, while Richardson went wicketless in his first spell, but came back to capture his three wickets in the afternoon session.
`It felt good to be back out in the middle playing for the West Indies again and to have the red ball in my hand,` said Benn. `It is always good to put in a good performance, but I am not going to get too far ahead of myself. I’m just taking every day at a time, day by day.`
Two of Benn’s wickets were superbly caught at slip by Devon Smith, who had an excellent day in the outfield. Benn said the day’s outing is good preparation for the Test Series against England.
`Conditions are different all over England but this is very good preparation for the Test matches and I will be looking to do even better in the other warm-up matches.`
When play resumes today at 11 am (6 am Eastern Caribbean Time/5 am Jamaica Time), Lendl Simmons will be on 21 not out. He has so far hit two fours and a huge six over long-on.
The 1st Test at Lord’s on May 6-10. The second Test will be at Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street, starting May 14.
Tour schedule
April 20-22: vs Leicestershire at Grace Road
April 25-27: vs Essex at Chelmsford
April 30 to May 3: vs England Lions at County Ground, Derby
May 6-10: 1st Test at Lord’s
May 14-18: 2nd Test at Chester-le-Street
May 21: 1st ODI at Headingley
May 24: 2nd ODI at Bristol
May 26: 3rd ODI at Edgbaston
