THEY have already been involved in the coldest Test match ever this summer - now the West Indies could make history by also contributing to the wettest.

The forecasters are predicting that the opening two days could pass without a single ball being bowled, but while the typically English conditions are unlikely to be in the tourists' favour, West Indies skipper Daren Ganga is hoping that his side's chilling experience at Headingley will enable them to put the heat on England this weekend.

Ganga's side slumped to their heaviest-ever Test defeat as the temperature dropped to just seven degrees at Leeds, with Ryan Sidebottom's ability to induce aerial and lateral movement leaving their batting line-up in tatters.

Conditions are expected to be every bit as unappealing at Chester-le-Street, but the tourists' captain is confident his team-mates will have learned from their mistakes two games ago.

"We're not really accustomed to weather like this in the Caribbean," said Ganga, who took over captaincy duties from the injured Ramnaresh Sarwan halfway through the Headingley Test. "We are not really accustomed to playing in temperatures of seven degrees, but it's something that we're having to get used to.

"We are aware that the weather might play a part in this Test. We have the experience of Headingley behind us, so we are aware of what the English players are capable of in English conditions. That experience at Headingley will prepare us for what might happen this weekend if the weather is a factor again."

The West Indies have won just two of their last 38 Test outings, but Darren Sammy's seven-wicket haul at Old Trafford at least proved that they are determined to remain competitive despite their problems.

The all-rounder made a major impact on his Test debut, but a groin strain has put his participation at Riverside in jeopardy.

The 23-year-old will undergo a fitness test this morning, and the West Indian management are also considering recalling pace bowler Daren Powell after he missed out at Old Trafford.

"It was really tough leaving Daren Powell out," admitted Ganga. "He has been one of our better bowlers over the past year so strong consideration will be given to him for this Test.

"We lacked a little bit of penetration in terms of getting 20 wickets earlier in the series, but we were able to do that at Old Trafford.

"This looks like it could be a four-day Test, so we will have to factor in the conditions when we try to come up with the right combinations for success in this game."