No practice for West Indies due to wet outfield

Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The visiting West Indies had to do without practice at the venue of their warm-up game due to a soggy outfield Tuesday, with team operations manager Richie Richardson describing the experience as “frustrating”.

The Caribbeans are scheduled to play their three-day practice game against Uttar Pradesh at the Jadavpur University ground at the satellite township of Salt Lake from Thursday.

The team instead had to be content with a net session at Sourav Ganguly‘s Academy at Salt Lake.

“It is frustrating to see both the outfield and the wicket so wet. I hope things improve tomorrow (Wednesday),” said Richardson, who took a look at the ground alongside coach Ottis Gibson.

At the Jadavpur stadium, the ground staff were seen working at frantic pace to dry the outfield and ready the venue for the match.

The groundsmen were mopping up with sponges as a super-sopper was kept ready for use in case of more rains, which lashed Kolkata with furious force Saturday. The city also received drizzle Sunday.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), however, held out an assurance that the match will be held as per schedule.