Captain Brian Lara (second right) leading allrounders Dwyane Smith (left), Chris Gayle (right) and Kieron Pollard in an exercise session at Kensington Park on the eve of the opening ICC Cricket World Cup opener at Sabina Park. The players have regrouped for Tuesday's crucial match against South Africa. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

West Indies returned to action on Thursday as they prepared for their fourth second round match of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, following their highly publicised break.

The team, which regrouped in Grenada on Wednesday after an optional one-day break, engaged in a game simulation at Progress Park to ensure a workout for all the batsmen.

Batsmen batted 48 overs facing medium pacers Dwayne Smith and Dwayne Bravo along with Kieron Pollard, off-spinner Chris Gayle and several net bowlers.

Captain Brian Lara, vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Gayle, Bravo, Samuels, Pollard and Dwayne Smith all batted.

The fast bowling staff of Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell, Corey Collymore and Ian Bradshaw were all rested, along with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Imran Khan, the team's media liaison officer, told CMC Sports this was done so as not to overwork the players after they had contested three taxing matches in six days.

They, however, were put through fitness work on Wednesday afternoon.

The team had a full practice session for all players yesterday at La Sagesse Ground but will take a rest day today. They will return to training tomorrow and Monday.

West Indies face South Africa in a do-or-die affair on Tuesday at the Grenada National Stadium in an effort to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

After losses in their first three matches, another one will dash the Windies chances of reaching the semi-finals.