EARLY SHOWERS which delayed the third One Day International between the West Indies and England did not stop the regional team from showering the visitors with cricketing blows today at Kensington Oval.

The team seemed unaffected by the hovering clouds of the dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players' Association that has not been resolved after two days of discussions.

It was the English team that made heavy weather of it, labouring to a measly 117 all out in 41.2 overs. In contrast, the West Indies, led by a rampaging captain Chris Gayle, blasted their way to the target in 14.4 overs, with just two wickets lost.

The fans in the sold-out Kensington Oval roared their appreciation, glad at having waited it out after grey skies and persisten drizzles caused doubt at the start.

However, the crowd sat patiently bracing their umbrellas against the inconsistent sprinkles, while the players stepped onto the field whenever there was a break to warm up in their efforts to take a 2-1 lead in the third Digicel One-Day International against England.

So when the clock stuck 11:00 a.m., an hour and half hour behind schedule, and the announcement was made that the match would begin the crowd didn't mind. Additionally when they were told that the 50 overs would be reduced to 44, still it was ok by the thousands.

They were rewarded for their patience, being treated to a clatter of English wickets in the first innings and a West Indian run-feast in the second.

In the West Indian innings, Gayle hit four sixes in the first seven overs, smashing the first two over the Joel Garner End, the third into the player's pavilion and the fourth into the party stand.

It was a sight for sore eyes and it had everyone was predicting a West Indies win.

"Man them got this!" declared Geoffrey Jordan in the Greenidge and Haynes Stand.

However, his friend Lionel Gordon, cautioned him, "You say so now but with these you never know."

Sharon Marshall in the Power X Four Party Stand was certain the West Indies would win.

"Man they playing good all day, there is no way that they will lose this match today and my boy Gayle will be the man of the match, mark my words," she said.

Less than two hours, later, Marshall was right - West Indies won by eight wickets although Gayle was not named Man of the Match. (TM/AL-F)