West Indies complaint about bowlers' practice dismissed

MANCHESTER, England, June 8 (Reuters) Match referee Alan Hurst dismissed a West Indies' complaint today about England pace bowlers practising near the playing surface on the second day of the third test at Old Trafford.

Shortly before lunch after England had been dismissed for 370, Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett warmed up with practice deliveries on a used pitch about six metres away from the match pitch.

Players are not allowed to practise on the pitch or an area adjacent to the pitch during the hours of play. A bowler contravening the rule may be banned for bowling for an hour after play resumes.

Reserve umpire Rob Bailey asked the pair to stop and Harmison took the new ball for England when play resumed.

Team manager Michael Findlay lodged a complaint with former Australia fast bowler Hurst who said no action would be taken.

''The matter was dealt with at the time,'' Hurst told reporters. ''There will be no further action.'' REUTERS BJR VV2000