Windies on the up - Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan insists his side will start the second Test in high spirits © Getty Images

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West Indies can approach the second npower Test at Headingley Carnegie with confidence enhanced from the rain-affected draw at Lord’s.

The tourists were touted as underdogs by many - and near certain losers by others - before the four-match series against England began last Thursday.

But with just three days to go before the start of their next assignment in Leeds, Windies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has taken great heart from their display in the first of two back-to-back Tests.

The consensus was that Sarwan’s side would capitulate - without the saving grace of the recently-retired Brian Lara, in alien conditions and with a new captain in charge for the first time.

But they belied their reputation as perhaps the world’s worst travelling Test team over the past decade by digging deep to remain competitive with England despite a century count which favoured the hosts 5-0.

“Everyone played their part, especially the batters,” said Sarwan. “It was really good to see everyone getting a score.”

All but number 11 Corey Collymore reached double figures to keep West Indies competitve after England had racked up a mammoth first-innings 553 for five declared.

The upshot was a stalemate, brought about largely by a near washout on the final day, although the tourists were sufficiently encouraged by their mid-match fightback to be talking about the possibility of a last-innings chase of 401 before rain intervened.

Sarwan was pleased with the form of the likes of opener Chris Gayle © Getty Images

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“This is going to give us a lot of confidence going into the next Test, having been playing not that well at Test level,” Sarwan predicted. “I hope we can drive on from here.”

He admitted that his side were not overly tested when England had the ball, particularly so given the absence of the injured Matthew Hoggard.

“It was a difficult pitch to bowl on, probably because of the slope, and we got quite a few bad balls,” Sarwan noted.

“Our guys played really well and we made the best use of what we had.

“I must admit they missed him Hoggard,” he acknowledged. “He’s one of their senior bowlers, and someone who’s capable of winning matches for them.”

West Indies, meanwhile, head north with their full squad still intact.

Sarwan spoke before the first Test of the possibility of pitching in fast bowler Fidel Edwards.

That did not happen, however, and it seems he is now leaning towards keeping together a team who have already confounded some of their critics at the start of this tough tour.

“Everyone is in good spirits and good health,” Sarwan said. “I don’t see too many changes leading up to the next Test match. The rest of the guys haven’t had too much practice.”