LEICESTER, England (CMC):

West Indies fell short in their bid for a victory and had to settle for a draw in their opening match against Leicestershire on their tour of England.

Their own poor fielding, as well as dogged batting from the home team, combined to frustrate the West Indies' efforts and Leicestershire finished on 238 for six in their second innings on the final day of the three-day match at Grace Road yesterday.

Lanky left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn claimed two wickets in the space of four overs to create a bit of excitement after lunch, but Leicestershire, through the efforts first of Matthew Boyce, with 55, and Joshua Cobb, with 53, then stand-in captain Boeta Dippenaar, the former South Africa captain, held firm.

Second wicket

Benn was the most successful Windies bowler with two wickets for 53 runs from 25 overs, to end with six wickets in the match. But West Indies were held up throughout the morning period when Boyce and Cobb added 104 for the second wicket.

They had only themselves to blame, when Darren Sammy dropped Boyce, on 33, at second slip off Lionel Baker.

Lendl Simmons then failed to latch on to a chance at square leg, when Boyce, on 37, mistimed a pull at a short, rising ball off the same bowler.

Simmons, however, made amends when he had Boyce caught at extra cover for the Leicestershire top score two overs before lunch.

Benn had Cobb caught behind in the first over after the interval and soon had James Taylor caught at slip with the first innings deficit of 138 still not erased.

West Indies failed to dislodge Dippenaar, who batted for more than three hours to score 40 not out and share a 51-run stand for the fifth wicket with Wayne White as they significantly ate into the remaining time.

West Indies continue their preparations for the Test series with another three-day game against Essex at Chelmsford, starting on Saturday.