LONDON, England (CMC)

Head coach Ottis Gibson has praised the West Indies batting effort but conceded that the Caribbean side had lost too many wickets on the opening day of the first Test against England yesterday.

Sent in at Lord's, West Indies finished the day on 243 for nine, thanks to an unbeaten 87 from veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Opener Adrian Barath found some form with a stroke-filled 42 while Marlon Samuels got 31 and Darren Bravo 29.

"(It was a) tough day sort of. We battled hard to 240-odd. That's not a bad score for us but maybe a couple of wickets too many," Gibson said afterward.

"Two hundred and forty-three for four or five would have been an excellent day but 243 for nine we've lost a few too many, let's be honest. At the same time we've got our 243 on the board and it's important that we try and eke out a few more tomorrow

"We've played four seamers and if conditions stay like this (overcast) overhead, the pitch may stay the same for two or three more days and our four seamers may be able to do some damage."

West Indies slipped to 32 for two after opener Kieran Powell (5) and vice-captain Kirk Edwards (1) fell cheaply but Barath and Bravo repaired the innings with a 54-run, third wicket stand.

When both batsmen were out in quick succession to leave the Windies on 100 for four, Chanderpaul and Samuels combined in an important 81-run, fifth wicket partnership which revived the innings.

"We got some good youngsters that got in and got some scores and got out but again the first day of a Test match at Lord's in bowler friendly conditions, I think we've done reasonably well but I'm a little bit disappointed with the wickets we've lost," Gibson pointed out.

"We know what they've got inside of them so you would hope when Test match time comes around at Lord's, the home of cricket, that people would give their best."

He continued: "I thought Barath played very well in the morning session when the ball was swinging and seaming all over the place. It was unfortunate he couldn't start again after lunch.

Bravo's tragic run out was a big blow for West Indies especially with the gifted left-hander unfazed by England's attack.