LEICESTER, England, CMC – West Indies’ strong start to their tour of England has left a smile on the face of their coach John Dyson.
The tourists drew their three-day match with Leicestershire on Wednesday but not before Dyson witnessed a century from rookie opener Lendl Simmons, a fluent half-century from Brendan Nash and a six-wicket match haul from gangling left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.
“I’m pleased with our first outing in English conditions after a couple of weeks off in the Caribbean,” Dyson said.
“Some good things have happened such as Lendl Simmons scoring a hundred, Brendan Nash finding some good form, Sulieman Benn bowling pretty well throughout the whole game and most of the seamers at some stage finding the sort of length and line they need to bowl.”
Simmons, the bold Trinidadian right-hander, made 102 in a partnership of 154 with the left-handed Nash, who made 78 before both retired hurt.
Benn, on his first senior tour of England, grabbed four for 31 in the first innings and returned to take two for 53 in the second, to press his claim for a spot in the opening Test against England at Lord’s next month.
With two more tour matches remaining before the Test series bowls off on May 6, Dyson said he expected tough competition for places in the first Test, especially in the large seam department.
“We have a number of options for our pace attack and as I have said to the guys that all spots are up for grabs and those who perform in these three games can look with confidence to selection in the Test side,” he said.
West Indies will play two Tests against England, with the second match scheduled to bowl off on May 14 at Chester-le-Street.
The tourists will be looking to defend the Wisden Trophy they captured recently with a 1-0 win in the five-Test series in the Caribbean.
“This will be a very hard fought series and a very important series for us. We believe we can do very well and we want to make sure we are well prepared and focused,” said Dyson.
