Simmons disappointed by flat pitch

NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC):

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons says the first Test against England could have been more competitive with a better pitch and he is hoping for a better wicket at Kensington Oval when the next match of the Apex Series kicks off in Barbados on Wednesday.

A flat pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium proved to be a key factor in the match which ended in a draw on the final of the opening Test on Saturday, as Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder worked together to nullify England's attack.

"It's disappointing for the fact that the cricket could have been better," Simmons said. "Both sides bowled well on the pitch but I think with a better wicket we would have a better Test match, a more difficult Test match for either of the sides because the two bowling attacks are good bowling attacks.

"I'm hoping for a little more in the wicket [in Barbados]. I think it will make for a better Test match. I used to be a batsman but you can't let batsmen have it easy all the time and I think it's hard for bowlers on wickets like these so you need an even surface and let us compete."

Simmons said there was no nervousness on his part, on the final day's play, even after West Indies ended on 147 for four.

"I was more nervous when the review went up for Jason's caught at slip," he said. "The wicket has been flat and once you settle in and you put your head down it's difficult to get wickets on that, so I wasn't that nervous."

Simmons said that England, missing the fast bowling duo of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, who were left out after their Ashes Series in which the side went down 4-0, had not made it easy for West Indies.

Simmons spoke highly of Bonner, the eventual Man-of-the-Match, who followed up his first innings 123 with an unbeaten 38 in the Caribbean side's final session.

Recalling the Jamaican's scores of 86 and 90 in his debut series in February last year, he said Bonner continued to prove himself.

"He's getting more and more consistent and he's understanding his game more and more so that's brilliant for us," Simmons said.

The second Test will run from Wednesday to Sunday and will be followed up March 24-28 with the third and final Test of the Apex Series at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.