Despite picking a minor injury during the West Indies squad match at the Emirates, team skipper Jason Holder is expected to be fit in time for the start of the first Test in the #RaiseTheBat series on July 8.

Holder did not bowl on Thursday when his team fielded for the second innings of the match. He was also not required to bat. However,  head coach Phil Simmons offered assurances that the allrounder would be fine.

"Jason has had a slight niggle on his ankle and that is what has held him back from bowling,” Simmons said. “He will be back to bowling in the four-day game and should be bowling his full quota. As for the batting, if you get one ball and you’re out, that’s all you can do.”

Simmons also provided some positive news on fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who is returning to first-team action following ankle surgery.

“He looks ready, that was evident here. When you see how he bowled in the first innings, then again yesterday (Wednesday) and even more so this morning (Thursday) you could see he's close to 100 per cent. Now we want to get him up to 100 just before the Test match.”

 West Indies will have a four-day warm-up match starting June 30 at Emirates Old Trafford, before they travel down to Southampton for the first match at the Ageas Bowl, starting July 8.