West Indies bowling reserves showed their mettle yesterday limiting Essex to a moderate total on the opening day of their three-day tour match at County Ground.

Fielding a bowling attack that boasted just 12 Tests among them, West Indies dismissed Essex for 263 and reached 24 for one at the close, still 239 runs behind on first innings.

Narsingh Deonarine was the unlikely hero, grabbing three for 32 with his off-spin, while fast-bowler Lionel Baker, with two Tests to his name, claimed two for 39 and the uncapped pacer Andrew Richardson, two for 51.

Teenaged batsman Jaik Mickle-burgh top-scored with 58 while former England Under-19s captain Varun Chopra struck 50, but the West Indies bowlers nipped potentially damaging partnerships in the bud early.