COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC:
THE WEST Indies face Pakistan in an unofficial three-day practice match starting today as both teams prepare for important Test assignments.
Team manager Ricky Skerritt said yesterday the game, arranged to facilitate much needed practice for both teams, will not have first-class status and will not follow normal cricket rules.
"All the batsmen will bat and all the bowlers will bowl, it's not really a proper game, just an opportunity for all 16 players here to get some play,"
Skerritt said.
The West Indies, remaining in Sri Lanka after their Champions Trophy elimination, have completed a training camp ahead of their trip to India, while the Pakistanis are preparing for Test assignments against the world's No. 1 ranked Australia.
Opening batsmen Daren Ganga, who has replaced ailing Brian Lara for the India tour, joined the squad yesterday afternoon and became the sixth player arriving from the Caribbean for the India tour.
Batting off-spinners Marlon Samuels and Gareth Breese, and fast bowlers Cameron Cuffy, Darren Powell and Jermaine Lawson, who were not part of the Champions Trophy squad, arrived earlier this week.
Lara has left Sri Lanka after being hospitalised last week with what hospital sources said was a case of hepatitis.
The West Indies travel next Wednesday to India where they will play three Tests and seven one-day internationals. The first Test starts on October 9 in Mumbai.
