First-Class matches between Tests have become little more than glorified net sessions for touring teams everywhere but Brian Lara sees the West Indies' fixture against Border, starting in East London tomorrow, as "very important."

"I'd like to see a result in East London, to be honest," captain Lara said after the 189 runs defeat by South Africa here on Tuesday. "We need to get into the winning habit."

It is the only match before the back-to-back second and third Tests, the first starting in Durban, December 26 and the second in Cape Town January 2.

Lara explained that, for contrasting reasons, the West Indies had to settle for draws in their only two first-class matches on tour.

They had "tried" in the only first-class match on the preceding Zimbabwe leg of the tour but Zimbabwe 'A' held out for a draw with nine second innings wickets down.

Their plans were ruined in the opening four-day match against Free State, here, by injuries that reduced them to two main bowlers.

"Unfortunately, we had to play out that game and be satisfied with a draw," he said.

Lara indicated that all the reserve players - Carlton Baugh, Ravi Rampaul and the three replacements, Dave Mohamed, Dwayne Smith and Adam Sanford - would be involved.

"Yes, you want to get the guys who you think are going to be in the Test matches playing and getting the practice but I think it's necessary to get some rest as well," he added.

Chris Gayle and Corey Collymore are two definite absentees as they take time for their damaged hamstring muscles to heal.

Vasbert Drakes, who spent six highly successful seasons with Border between 1996 and 2002, is also likely to be rested against his former province.

He came into the first Test after a lay-off of more than two weeks because of a side strain and had 39 overs in the Test.

Lara noted there were still 10 days before the third Test, time enough, he hoped, for Gayle to be fit enough to play.

"It's pretty straightforward in that it's a grade one tear (of the muscle)," he said. "That will take some time to heal but we would definitely need him come Boxing Day so we're keeping our fingers crossed that he'll be fit."

Gayle's injury occurred midway through the first day of the first Test. He was unable to take the field except for two brief, obviously painful innings when he used usual opening partner Wavell Hinds as his runner.

The West Indies have been handicapped by early injuries in each of the three Tests on tour.

Jerome Taylor, the 19-year-old Jamaican fast bowler, took no further part after straining his back following 9.4 overs on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe and returned to Jamaica prior to the South African tour.

Fidel Edwards was limited to 15 first innings overs in the second Test by an inflamed ankle.

Gayle and Collymore, who took his problem into the Test here, further restricted Lara's options here.

"We're back up to our full complement of 16 players, now that the replacements have come in, so hopefully we're going to have a fit eleven taking the field on Boxing Day," Lara said.

"If we can do that, we can only play better," he added.

If Gayle is ruled out for Durban, it would mean either Smith, the 20-year-old Bar-badian who was the surprise choice to come in for Marlon Samuels, or Carlton Baugh, the reserve wicket-keeper, taking his place to bat No.6.

That choice would be made strictly on performance in East London, Lara indicated.

"Scores will count," he said.

Baugh is a promising batsman in his own right and his brilliant, unbeaten 158 against Free State, even if against sub-standard bowling, has given him a head start.

Lara hinted that Moh-ammed, the left-arm chinaman and googly bowler, would feature in the attack at Durban if Gayle is ruled out.