Gayle has not been ruled out of the third Test

West Indies suffered two further injury blows ahead of the third Test when Ravi Rampaul and Chris Gayle pulled up while bowling against MCC in Durham.

All-rounder Gayle suffered a minor tear to a rib muscle and will not bowl or field in the innings as a precaution.

Rampaul, who has not played in the Tests so far, sustained a minor groin tear and is out of the next Test.

Meanwhile paceman Jerome Taylor took 5-43 as an inexperienced team led by Sanath Jayasuriya reached 234-7.

Laurie Evans top-scored with a patient 51 for the MCC before he was caught behind off Taylor.

Taylor's wickets were just the boost the visitors needed after their innings defeat by England in the second Test at Headingley.

While Gayle is expected to bat, no undue risk will be taken and he will not field in the remainder of the MCC XI first innings West Indies statement

Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan went home with a shoulder problem after that and stand-in skipper Daren Ganga lost the toss on a sunny morning in the north east.

Jayasuriya opted to bat and his side were soon in trouble against disciplined bowling.

Edwards looked lively and got the early breakthrough when Paul Dixey was in all sorts of trouble against a short delivery and the ball looped to Runako Morton at slip.

Taylor made an almost instant impact by bowling Zoheb Sharif in his second over and then trapped William Porterfield lbw with a swinging full-toss.

James Morris (30) added 83 with Evans but both edged behind and Jayasuriya managed only 18 when he fell to the on-song fast bowler.

But the West Indies were hit by Gayle's withdrawal shortly after lunch, although a team statement insisted: "Gayle has not been ruled out of contention for the third Test match."

Taylor bounced back after an indifferent start to the tour

And Taylor said of the injuries: "I don't think either are anything serious."

Darren Sammy then got in on the act after tea, bowling Simon Butler for 12 and the seventh wicket with the score on 188.

Shaaiq Choudry (45 not out) and Sir Viv Richards' son Mali (20 not out) put on an unbeaten 44 to bring the MCC side back into the reckoning at stumps.

The third Test starts at Old Trafford on 7 June and Taylor was thrilled to be back in form after struggling in the first two games against England.

"This match has boosted my confidence, after bowling on a wicket that wasn't conducive to fast bowling and performing how I did," he said.

"After having some dull moments since I came to England I am trying to move from strength to strength. I felt good bowling out there, my rhythm was good and everything fell into place."