apart from one guest appearance for barbados in a friendly match early in 1939, constantine did not play first-class cricket after 1935 until the west indies toured england in 1939. constantine had deliberately not signed a league contract in 1939, to be available for the tour. however, he was unhappy with the playing strength of the touring team and the £600 he was offered in wages. he believed that the captain, rolph grant (younger brother of jackie), was unqualified for the job and had been appointed only because he was white. constantine captained the side in one match, but was reprimanded by the west indies board for not pursuing a win. the west indies lost the three-match test series 1–0 against a very strong england side, although critics judged the overall playing record of the team to be good. in the three tests, constantine scored 110 runs at 27.50 and took 11 wickets at 29.81, including five for 75 in the final test.