PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC:

West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn has come in for high praises from two former Test spin bowlers for his tremendous bowling effort against England in the first Test.

Former West Indies spinners Raphick Jumadeen and Rangy Nanan are praising Benn, who snared match figures of eight for 108 and played a key role in the massive innings and 23-run victory inside four days at Sabina Park.

A current member of the West Indies senior selection panel, Jumadeen, who played in 12 Test matches for the regional team and picked up 29 wickets, said Benn's impressive showing has made a good statement for spinners in the Caribbean.

Specialist spinner

"I am happy for Benn. He has sent a clear message to the other spin bowlers in the region that there is a place for a specialist spinner on the West Indies team," Jumadeen stated.

Jumadeen is elated over the team's victory that gives them a 1-0 lead in the four-match series and he hopes they will carry on in that same vein for the remainder of the series.

Nanan said he has always been impressed with Benn's bowling and that the lanky bowler continues to improve with each game.

"I am very happy with the confidence shown in him by skipper Chris Gayle and in both innings, Benn was entrusted with marathon spells, which he accomplished admirably," Nanan said.

Four for 31

The 6-foot-7-inch tall Benn returned remarkable first innings figures of four for 77 off 44.2 overs with 13 maidens, and his haul of four for 31 off 14.2 overs on Saturday helped trigger England's rapid decline on the fourth afternoon of the match.

"He applied pressure on the batsmen and prevented them from scoring freely in addition to taking four wickets in each innings," Nanan said.

The former Trinidad and Tobago captain said that as a past Test spinner, he is delighted to see Benn get an eight-wicket haul.

"By taking eight wickets in the match, Benn has also given himself the necessary confidence for the remainder of the series. I hope that he will continue to work hard and improve with each game," Nanan said.