West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is bowled by Ryan Sidebottom (out of pic) on day two of the second cricket Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, on Saturday. - Dellmar

LEEDS, United Kingdom:

DESPITE rain washing out the entire third day's play in the second Test match against England at Headingley in Leeds yesterday, West Indies skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan says their task remains steep with two days' play remaining.

Commenting on the game, which he started as his second Test match in charge, Sarwan said: "The weather was certainly in our favour today on day three but that still leaves two more days in the Test match and the task is still an uphill one but, as I said before, I have confidence in the guys to pull out something special, even without Shiv and myself fully available," the laid-up skipper said.

Sarwan did not bat in the Windies first innings when they were blown away for a modest 146, then left hobbling at 22 for two following-on in reply to England's massive first innings total of 570 for seven declared.

The Windies captain did not bat because he hurt his shoulder after he fell while fielding and will play no further part in this match. It is also doubtful whether he will be available for the rest of the series.

Team coach David Moore has confirmed that there is doubt whether he will return in time for the mid-June last Test in Durham.

"We will make an assessment on his further availability for the Test series at the end of this Test match," Moore told reporters.

Happy regardless

He said that while there has not yet been a determination on how long it will take his injured right acromioclavicular joint to recover, he is happy that he did not dislocate his shoulder.

"When I fell I heard a crackling sound but I am happy that there is no fracture," Sarwan said from his hotel room in Leeds yesterday.

"I did sustain some damage to the ligaments but at this stage we do not know how long it will take to heal," the 26-year-old right hander explained.

"We will sit down after this Test match and make a decision about my further involvement in the series," Sarwan revealed.

"It is obviously disappointing to be injured so regularly but I will have to overcome this injury as I have overcome all my previous injuries," the new West Indies captain said.