CHELMSFORD, England, CMC – Shivnarine Chanderpaul has described his vital unbeaten half-century for West Indies on Sunday as a “decent” knock as he tunes himself up for the series against England next month.

The Guyanese left-hander carved out an unbeaten knock of 66 as he single-handedly shouldered the batting in a woeful display by the tourists against County side Essex at County Ground.

“It was a decent knock for me. This is my first knock on this tour and I wanted to get in and get accustomed to the conditions,” said Chanderpaul, who had missed the opening game last week against Leicestershire.

“Every now and then the ball was doing something and taking off. I had to be constantly watching and being careful,” said the 34-year-old middle order batsman.

West Indies were dismissed for 146, in the afternoon session after starting the day on 24-1 in reply to 263 by Essex.

While Brendan Nash (14), Devon Smith (13) and Dave Bernard (12) were the only other batsmen getting to double figures, Chanderpaul batted for over two-and-a-half hours, faced 107 balls hitting 10 fours and two sixes and used the innings as a warm-up to the two-match Test Series against England.

“The guys were bowling in good areas and the ball was doing quite a bit. In these conditions the aim is to adjust your game, wait a bit longer and play the ball as late as you can. That is one thing to do in England. That is one of the keys to being successful,” added Chanderpaul, who was the ICC’s 2008 International Cricketer of the Year.

The best bowler for Essex was Jamaica-born fast bowler Maurice Chambers who took four for 62 from 14 overs.

Essex reached 175 for three in their second turn at the crease for an overall lead of 292 at stumps, with Lionel Baker leading the visitor’s bowling with 2-31, while the other wicket went to Nelon Pascal (1-23).

The first Test is at Lord’s from May 6-10. The 2nd Test will be at Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street, starting May 14.