West Indies keen to move forward

CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (CMC):

THE WEST Indies will be out to prove that their competitiveness at Old Trafford was no false dawn, as they face another severe challenge in testing conditions in the fourth and final Test today at Chester-le-Street.

There were signs of improvement in the West Indies' performance at Manchester they lost the third Test by 60 runs to go 2-0 down in the four-Test series.

The tourists also lost the second Test at Leeds by an innings and 283 runs - their heaviest defeat in Tests - which followed a confidence-boosting draw in the first Test at Lord's.

"It's very difficult for young players coming into a team that is not winning and having to put in a big effort time and time again, and getting nothing at the end of it," West Indies captain Daren Ganga told reporters on the eve of the match yesterday.

"We all have to ensure we have the right work ethic and believe strongly that we are going to win and we are going to get back to our winning ways."

The two teams were unable to train outside yesterday at the Riverside Ground - England's most northerly Test venue - due to heavy rain which has been forecast along with cool temperatures to continue until tomorrow.

Weather

"We were aware that the weather might play a part in this Test match - that is something beyond our control," Ganga said.

"We have the experience of Headingley behind us, and we are aware of what the English players are capable of in their own conditions. We are going to try and limit the number of mistakes we are making, and stop making the same ones over and over again."

The West Indies experienced similarly taxing conditions - damp, cold weather - in the second Test at Headingley, and Ganga believes this has prepared them for whatever comes over the next five days at the Riverside.

"We are not accustomed to it in the Caribbean, definitely not - playing in seven degrees is something new," he said.

"Some of the guys are experienced in touring England before, but it is very important we feed off one and other, a lot of talk has been going around our dressing room with regards to adapting, with regards to dealing with situations like this."

The West Indies delayed a decision about Darren Sammy until this morning. The all-rounder was doubtful with a groin strain after he distinguished himself in his debut Test with a seven-wicket haul in the England second innings.

If Sammy is unable to take his place, Daren Powell will most likely regain his position and fortify the bowling attack.

Squads:

ENGLAND: Michael Vaughan (captain), Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss.

WEST INDIES (from): Daren Ganga (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Sylvester Joseph, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.