Rain dampens second Test

INDIA COACH Greg Chappell remains hopeful that his side can complete victory over West Indies after the fourth day of the second Test was abandoned because of rain at Gros Islet yesterday.

Continuous rain throughout the morning and afternoon forced umpires Simon Taufel and Asad Rauf to call off play 20 minutes after tea on the penultimate day.

"If the rain god was a West Indian today, I hope it is an Indian tomorrow," Chappell said yesterday.

"We have no control over the weather, but we got them out in 80 overs in the first innings and, hopefully, a full day tomorrow would enable us to take the nine remaining wickets."

The rain was mainly light showers, but it persisted for most of the day, frustrating India who had put themselves in a dominant position after securing a first innings lead of 373 runs on the third day.

The West Indies, who were dismissed for 215 replying to 588 for eight declared, will resume their second innings on 43 for one with captain Brian Lara at the crease.

The forecast for today is also for showers.

The first Test in St John's, Antigua, ended in a draw