GROS ISLET – Alick Athanaze and Justin Greaves both scored half-centuries in an otherwise lacklustre batting display by West Indies ‘A’ on the opening day of their second unofficial ‘Test’ against South Africa ‘A’ in St Lucia on Sunday.
The left-handed Athanaze topscored with 65, while Greaves scored 57 in the home side’s paltry first innings total of 220 after they were sent in to bat at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.
Former Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored 35 at the top of the order in the only other meaningful contribution, as West Indies ‘A’ were undone by the pace of Ruan de Swardt and Okuhle Cele, with the pair sharing seven wickets between them.
Brathwaite and John Campbell gave West Indies ‘A’ a solid start by putting on 53 runs for the opening wicket.
However, Campbell, Brathwaite and Kevlon Anderson lost their wickets – with two going to de Swardt – for the addition of just four runs to see them slip to 57 for three.
It took a 71-run partnership between Athanaze and Greaves to pull their team out of trouble following the loss of Jewel Andrew.
Once Athanaze was dismissed by de Swardt after facing 94 balls and striking eight fours and two sixes to make the score 161 for five, the West Indies’ ‘A’ lower order folded, with Greaves being the last man out.
In all, he faced 100 balls and hit nine fours.
De Swardt finished with 4-62, while Cele took 3-52.
South Africa ‘A’ then finished the day on 44 for two to trail West Indies ‘A’ by 176 runs with eight wickets remaining.
Fast bowler Anderson Phillip claimed the wicket of Jordan Hermann for 18, while pacer Johann Layne had Lesego Senokwane caught for 23.
CMC
Brief scores
WEST INDIES ‘A’ 220 in 68.1 overs (Alick Athanaze 65, Justin Greaves 57, Kraigg Brathwaite 35, John Campbell 18, Jewel Andrew 17, Jomel Warrican 10; Ruan de Swardt 4-62, Okuhle Cele 3-52).
SOUTH AFRICA ‘A’ 44-2 in 15 overs (Lesego Senokwane 23, Jordan Hermann 18).
