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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Roach, Rampaul in doubt for first Test

The West Indies are sweating on the fitness of Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul ahead of the first Test against England, which gets underway at Lord's on Thursday, reports Cricket365.

The victims of a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of the England Lions in Northampton on Sunday, the tourists also endured the absence of the fast-bowling duo.

Roach twisted his ankle and was unable to bowl as Joe Root's unbeaten century and Michael Carberry's 72 not out carried the home side to a resounding triumph at Wantage Road. Rampaul, meanwhile, delivered just four overs before succumbing to a problematic neck.

"Kemar has twisted his left foot, and it was a precaution as much as anything that he didn't bowl," said coach Ottis Gibson.

"Ravi woke up with a stiff neck.

"We have to be a little bit careful with Lord's in mind. It is a bit of a disappointment the seamers have not bowled much. But we are here to play Test matches and we hope it will be all right."

Gibson drew inspiration from his side's recent showing against Australia, who were given a good fight by Roach and company in the limited-overs leg of the tour.

Held to a two-all draw in the ODIs and one-all in the T20Is, the Aussies were later given a good fight before wrapping up a two-nil victory in the Tests.

"We have just had a very tough series in the Caribbean, and they bowled a lot of balls there - especially Kemar Roach," added Gibson.

"In England it is a matter of getting used to the conditions rather than bowling a lot of balls - and you can get used to the cold without bowling."

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