England (CMC)

West Indies' strong start to their tour of England has left a smile on the face of their coach John Dyson.

The tourists drew their three-day match with Leicestershire on Wednesday but not before Dyson witnessed a century from rookie opener Lendl Simmons, a fluent half-century from Brendan Nash and a six-wicket match haul from gangling left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

good first outing

"I'm pleased with our first outing in English conditions after a couple of weeks in the Caribbean," Dyson said.

"Some good things have happened, such as Lendl Simmons scoring 100, Brendan Nash finding some good form, Sulieman Benn bowling pretty well throughout the whole game and most of the seamers at some stage finding the sort of length and line they need to bowl."

Benn, on his first senior tour of England, grabbed four for 31 in the first innings and returned to take two for 53 in the second, to press his claim for a spot in the opening Test against England at Lord's next month.

With two more tour matches remaining before the Test series bowls off on, Dyson expects tough competition for places in the first Test, especially in the large seam department.