Windies coach preaches patience to his seamers

London, May 16 (IANS/CMC) West Indies coach Ottis Gibson has urged his pacemen to opt for patience over exuberance in the seamer-friendly English conditions starting with the first Test at Lord's beginning Thursday.

Speaking ahead of the opening Test, Gibson said rather than trying to conjure up brilliant deliveries, his bowlers needed to be consistent in line and length and allow the conditions to assist them.

"It is about being patient and finding the length to bowl in England. The length you bowl in England is a lot different to the length you bowl at home in the Caribbean," said Gibson, who spent much of his professional career on the County circuit.

"The one message I have given to them early season in England (is) the only skill you need to have is the skill of patience. If you put the ball in the right area often enough in England this time of year you will get some reward.

"It is just being very patient and letting the ball do the work for you. Rather than thinking you have to bowl magic balls, just put the ball in the right place and conditions will aid, whether it's swinging or whether it's seaming, the conditions will aid that."

The West Indies could employ a four-pronged seam attack for the opening Test, with the chilly, wet conditions likely to support the faster bowlers.

There were initial fears the fast bowling department could have been depleted by injury but Gibson said Kemar Roach was getting over his ankle injury and Ravi Rampaul had overcome his stiff neck.

Fidel Edwards sat out the tour opening against Sussex with injury but is also back to full fitness.

Gibson said his seamers were competent bowlers and once they used the conditions wisely, they would prove a handful.

"These guys are very skilful guys. Kemar Roach in the last series was outstanding swinging the ball, whether it was the old ball or the new ball," he noted.

"But when you come to England you just have to be very patient and not try to force the conditions. Let (them) work in your favour."

--IANS/CMC

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