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Happy Birthday Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers born July 28, 1936 celebrates his 84th birthday today. Sir Garry is widely known as the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen.

The versatile Sir Garry truly excelled in everything he did on the field of play. Sir Garry was a stylish and powerful batsman, a highly skilled fielder, a bowler of great guile and was an excellent leader.

Happy Birthday to a great man!! From the Management and Staff of Kensington Oval Management Inc.

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WE SALUTE YOU SIR EVERTON

Sir Everton DeCourcey Weekes born Feb 26, 1925 in Pickwick Gap Bridgetown Barbados.

We salute you Sir Everton as an icon, a legend, a hero and a great servant to Barbados’ and West Indies’ cricket.

Sir Everton’s illustrious international cricketing career started in Jan 1948, in his back yard right here at the Historic Kensington Oval a mere 800 meters away from his childhood home. Although his career did not get off to the best of starts Sir Everton did not let that break him. He endured being booed by a Kingston Jamaica crowd, and being dropped a couple times before going on to score 5 consecutive centuries in 5 consecutive innings.

Sir Everton was a great man of grit and determination, who left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape of the Caribbean.

On behalf of the Management and staff of Kensington Oval Management Inc. we offer our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and many fans.

May he rest in peace!

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Former Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, has died

The Rt. Hon Professor of Practice Owen Seymour Arthur born October 17, 1949 was a giant and titan and will forever be inscribed in the annals of Barbadian history. The Rt. Hon Prof. Owen Arthur is the longest serving Prime Minister of Barbados who piloted the country through the treacherous waters of economic uncertainty to the calm waters of economic prosperity.

Former Prime Minister Arthur was instrumental in the redevelopment of Kensington Oval as we know it today. The modern refurbishment was key for the ICC CWC 2007, where Barbados hosted the show piece final and then again for the T20 World Cup 2010.

We were saddened to have learnt of his untimely passing and join the nation and the region in honouring his sterling contribution to the Nation and to Kensington Oval.

The Management and Staff of Kensington Oval Management Inc. offer sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the Late Rt. Hon. Prof. Owen Seymour Arthur former Prime Minister of Barbados.

May he rest in Peace!

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Prime Minister Mottley Salutes Sir Everton Weekes

Statement from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on the passing of cricket legend Sir Everton Weekes. (PMO)

Today, I join Barbadians, West Indians and the rest of the cricketing world in saying farewell to a legend of the game, Sir Everton DeCourcy Weekes, just four and a half years shy of what would have been his final century in life.

Sir Everton, the last remaining member of the world-famous Three Ws, now joins his partners Sir Frank Worrell, who departed us in 1967, and Sir Clyde Walcott, who played his final innings in 2006, in history’s Pantheon of true gentlemen who indeed made cricket the “sport of gentlemen”.

Sir Everton is sure to live on in memory as one to emulate. Born into genuinely humble circumstances in Pickwick Gap on the outskirts of Bridgetown in 1925, a stone’s throw from Kensington Oval, he never allowed his beginning to define his life or success.

He left school at the age of 14 with no academic qualifications to boast about, and with no job, most of his time was spent playing football and cricket.

Indeed, although his cricketing skills were starting to show, particularly as a teenage member of Westshire Cricket Club, in the Barbados Cricket League, he also intended to move beyond that.

His early interaction with the world-renowned Oval and the all-white Pickwick Cricket Club that was based there was assisting the groundsmen in preparing the field, but by the closing of his career representing Barbados and the West Indies as a batsman extraordinaire, he had distinguished himself, not only at Kensington but on all of the game’s most recognised pitches around the world.

Sir Everton represented Barbados from 1944 until 1964, the West Indies from 1948 until 1958, and recorded a distinguished career of league cricket in England.

His name will forever be associated with the scoring of boundaries along the ground, ensuring that the scoring of those runs did not expose him to getting out.

Absolute brilliance and genius! For this most significant contribution to the game he was awarded the country’s highest honour, the Knight of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, in 1995.

How’s that for the boy from the outskirts of “de Orleans”, who, when he came into this world his parents “did not have two cents to rub together”, according to him.

Sir Everton, for me, was one of the most brilliant men that I have met as a Barbadian, with a turn of phrase and humour second to none.

His life story represents the best of the Bajan journey – committed and confident, stylish and classy, dignified and urbane to the very end; a global citizen with Bajan roots.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I salute Sir Everton as a true representation of the Barbadian can-do spirit; as a perfect example of perseverance over adversity; the embodiment of what our country requires today to beat back the bouncers of COVID-19, climate change and the economic inequality that we face day after day from rich and powerful nations.

To his family and the family of Empire Cricket Club, that more than a century old oasis on Bank Hall, where his heart was sustained for decades, I express deepest condolences.

 

Media: www.Youtube.com

 

Source: www.gisbarbados.gov.bb

 

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THREE CHANGES TO WEST INDIES A SQUAD FOR 1st “TEST” AGAINST INDIA “A”

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies “A” have been forced to make a number of last-minute changes to their squad for the first unofficial “Test” against India “A”, starting on Wednesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich have sustained ankle injuries in the last few days and have been ordered to rest for the first “Test”.

In addition, John Campbell has been elevated to the senior West Indies squad to face the senior India side in the first two MyTeam11 Twenty20 Internationals, co-sponsored by Skoda, taking place on August 3 and 4 at the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

As a result, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ pair of wicketkeeper/batsman Jahmar Hamilton and opener Montcin Hodge will replace Dowrich and Campbell respectively, and Trinidad & Tobago left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano will replace Brathwaite.

Solozano will also act as cover for Brathwaite for the second unofficial “Test”, starting the following Wednesday at the Queen’s Park Oval in his native Trinidad.

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Shamarh Brooks will now captain West Indies “A” in the first “Test” and may also lead the team in the second “Test”, if Brathwaite is unable to play.

West Indies A redone.jpg

Team Management Unit

Esuan Crandon (Head Coach)

Andrew Richardson (Assistant Coach)

Andre Coley (Assistant Coach)

Neil Barry, Jr (Physiotherapist)

Gregory Seale (Strength & Conditioning Coach)

Avenesh Seetaram (Analyst)

 

Source: CWI Media

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NARINE, POLLARD RETURN FOR 1st and 2nd T20Is AGAINST INDIA

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies chances against India in the MyTeam11 T20I Series, co-sponsored by Skoda, were given a boost with the recall of the veteran duo of Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble is the newcomer in the 14-member squad selected for the first two T20Is in the series which will be contested on August 3 and 4 at the Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida. The Selection Panel have the opportunity to make changes to the squad before the third T20I on August 6 at the Guyana National Stadium.

The squad also includes Andre Russell, subject to him passing a fitness assessment prior to the series. He is set to return to the playing field following his early exit from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 to undergo an operation on his troublesome left knee.

Left-handed opener John Campbell and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre have also been included alongside a number of regulars led by captain Carlos Brathwaite, as the interim CWI Selection Panel seeks to explore options with the ICC T20 World Cup looming next year in Australia.

West Indies T20I Squad v India_Social_1200x1200 (009).jpg

“This squad is an excellent balance of experience and youth,” said interim chairman of the CWI Selection Panel, Robert Haynes.

“It’s not just about the present – the India Tour of the West Indies – but we are also looking at the T20 World Cup coming up next year and it is important that we find the right combination of players and the right formula for defending our title. We have to make sure that we put certain things in place now, so that when it comes to picking the squad for the T20 World Cup, it becomes easier, so we are giving more players the opportunity to play and get the exposure.”

Robert Haynes talks selection of the 1st & 2nd T20 squad for India TourMystery spinner Narine last played in a T20I for West Indies against England almost two years ago at Chester-le-Street and batting all-rounder Pollard appeared last November on the Tour of India.

“We felt that players like Narine and Pollard, who have played well in T20 leagues around the World, once they are fit and mentally ready to play, we must give them the opportunity to represent the West Indies again,” said Haynes.

The 28-year-old Bramble has given firm proof of his batting and keeping ability in the West Indies Championship for reigning five-time champions Guyana Jaguars, who also reached the Final of last year’s West Indies Super50 Cup.

He captained West Indies “B” to the Final of the Global T20 Tournament last year in Canada and was recently picked up in the CPL draft for the first time in three years and will play for his home-based Guyana Amazon Warriors.

“We have been following his performances in regional competitions over the years and it cannot be forgotten that he led the West Indies ‘B’ Team to the GT20 in Canada, and that team did well to reach the Final,” said Haynes.

“We figured that though Nicholas Pooran will be the first-choice wicketkeeper, we needed to have someone to deputise in case something unexpected happens and he is the perfect choice. He is 27 and has a lot of ambition, and we saw his character come out the way he batted whenever Guyana Jaguars were in problems in the West Indies Championship and Super50 Cup, so we know he is capable of getting the job done.”

As one of the most feared and fierce hitters in the shortest version of the game, Russell will add further depth to the batting, and Haynes expects him and the other senior members of the squad to play a big role in the series.

“We expect that this will be a keenly contested series against India,” said Haynes. “Most of the players that we have selected have played in the IPL and they know all of the Indian players well. We will have the edge for sure because we are playing at home. At the end of the day however, it is important that the players go out there and play to win, not just to compete, and I think we have the right balance to do so.”

Haynes said veteran opener Chris Gayle had notified him that he was unavailable for the series, due to playing commitments at the GT20 in Canada, so this has given the opportunity for left-handed compatriot John Campbell to fill the slot.

See what interim head coach, Floyd Reifer, has to say about the team’s composition and the return of Narine and Pollard.

SCHEDULE

India Tour to the Caribbean 2019 schedule.jpg

Source: CWI Media
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RUTHERFORD, AMBRIS SHINE BUT WEST INDIES “A” DEFEATED IN 5TH ODI V INDIA A

COOLIDGE, Antigua – Sparkling half-centuries from Sherfane Rutherford and Sunil Ambris failed to inspire West Indies “A” and they crumbled to an eight-wicket defeat against India “A” in their One-day series here.

West Indies A - ODI 5.jpgRutherford smashed four fours and four sixes in the top score of 65 from 70 balls and Ambris made 61 from 52 balls, as West Indies “A” were bowled out for 236 in 47.4 overs, after they chose to bat in fifth and final match of the series at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

But the home team’s bowlers failed to make inroads into the Indians’ batting and the visitors’ top order, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose 99 from 89 balls included 11 fours and three sixes, fellow opener Shubman Gill with 69 from 40 balls and an unbeaten 61 from 64 balls for Shreyas Iyer easily chased down the target with 17 overs remaining.

The result meant that Roston Chase’s side lost the five-match series 1-4, after they lost the first two matches by 65 runs respectively at this venue and the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, where they also lost the third match by 148 runs before winning last Friday’s fourth match by five runs at this ground.

West Indies “A” had a solid opening stand of 77 between Ambris and left-hander Kjorn Ottley, but once they were separated, the innings spun out of control and they were wobbling at 163 for eight before Rutherford and Khary Pierre put on 52 for the ninth wicket.

Sherfane Rutherford.jpgKhary Pierre.jpgThings were no less easy for West Indies “A” when they took the field, as Gaikwad shared 110 with Gill for the first wicket and followed up with a stand of 112 for the second wicket with Iyer before Keemo Paul claimed his scalp with a hundred on the cards.

The two teams now prepare for a three-match “Test” series with the first match starting on Wednesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The last two matches will be contested in Trinidad from July 31 to August 3 at Queen’s Park Oval and August 6 to 9 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES A

S. Ambris run out 61

K. Ottley c Gill b Navdeep Saini 21

+D. Thomas lbw b K Pandya 1

R. Chase wkp Kishan b Navdeep Saini 1

J. Carter b Axar Patel 9

R. Powell c & b R Chahar 4

S. Rutherford c R Chahar b D Chahar 65

R. Cornwall c Pandey b R Chahar 10

K. Paul c K Pandya b Khaleel Ahmed 13

K. Pierre not out 35

A. Jordan b D Chahar 6

Extras (lb1, w7, nb2) 10

TOTAL (all out, 47.4 overs) 236

Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-86, 3-87, 4-89, 5-101, 6-103, 7-124, 8-163, 9-1225, 10-236

Bowling: D Chahar 6.4-0-39-2, Khaleel Ahmed 6-1-41-1, Pandya 8-0-32-1, Navdeep Saini 8-1-31-2, R Chahar 9-0-53-2, Axar Patel 10-0-39-1.

INDIA A

R. Gaikwad c Pierre b Paul 99

S. Gill c Jordan b Cornwall 69

S. Iyer not out 61

*M. Pandey not out 7

Extras (nb1) 1

TOTAL (2 wkts, 33 overs) 237

Did not bat: K Pandya, +I Kishan, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, R Chahar, Axar Patel, D Chahar.

Fall of wickets: 1-110, 2-222.

Bowling: Jordan 6-0-43-0, Pierre 8-0-55-0, Paul 5-0-37-1, Cornwall 7-0-47-1, Chase 3-0-24-0, Carter 4-0-31-0

Result: India A won by eight wickets.

Series: India win five-match series 4-1.

Toss: West Indies A.

Umpires: J Blade, G Brathwaite.

Source: CWI Media

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WEST INDIES “A” HOLD NERVE TO CLINCH TENSE WIN

COOLIDGE, Antigua – Strong batting – led by their captain Roston Chase – set the stage for West Indies “A” to claim a five-run victory over India “A” in their One-day series on Friday.

Chase hit four fours and two sixes in the top score of 84 from 100 to earn the Player-of-the-Match award and was the rock upon which West Indies “A” built a competitive total of 298 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs in the fourth match of the series at the Coolidge Cricket Ground here.

Man of the Match - R. Chase.jpgHometown star Devon Thomas supported with 70 from 95 balls, left-hander Jonathan Carter made 50 from 43 balls and opener Sunil Ambris hit 34 in the home team’s best batting performance of the series.

Ambris strikes.jpgThe West Indies “A” bowlers worked their way through the visitors’ batting, leaving the Indians 160 for six in the 32nd over before Axar Patel anchored two successive half-century stands to inch them close before they ended on 293 for nine from their 50 overs.

The result gave the hosts their first victory of the series which they now trail 1-3 with the final contest taking place on Sunday at the same venue.

Three successive half-century stands were at the heart of the turnaround in the West Indies “A” batting performance.

Ambris shared 73 with Thomas for the second wicket before he departed in the 15th over, when Chase came to the crease to put on 81 for the third wicket with Thomas.

After Thomas fell in the 33rd over, Chase and left-handed compatriot Carter advanced the scoring with a stand of 97 for the fourth wicket.

Chase makes runs.jpgWhen Chase became the second of four wickets for Syed Khaleel Ahmed in the 45th over, there was little resistance from the rest of the batting, as the home team lost six wickets for 39 in the space of 29 balls.

A sharp bit of fielding gave West Indies “A” an early breakthrough when India “A” started their chase and they continued to take wickets at regular intervals to leave the visitors on the backfoot.

But Patel smashed eight fours and one six in 81 not out from 63 balls, sharing stands of 60 for the seventh wicket with Washington Sundar and 69 for the eighth wicket with Ahmed to to give the Indians hope of a successful run chase.

But Chase’s side held their nerve to clinch the victory.

West Indies A vs India A 4th ODI – Highlights

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES A

*S Ambris c Navdeep Saini b Pandya 46

K Ottley c wkp Kishan b Khaleel Ahmed 1

+D Thomas c Avesh Khan b Sundar 70

R Chase c Pandey b Khaleel Ahmed 84

J Carter c Pandey b Khaleel Ahmed 50

R Powell c Pandya b Avesh Khan 1

S Rutherford c Axar Patel b Khaleel Ahmed 2

K Paul c Pandey b Avesh Khan 11

R Reifer c wkp Kishan b Avesh Khan 0

R Shepherd not out 21

K Pierre not out 1

Extras (lb4, w5, nb2) 11

TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) 298

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-76, 3-157, 4-254, 5-263, 6-263, 7-265, 8-274, 9-289.

Bowling: Khaleel Ahmed 10-0-67-4, Navdeep Saini 7-0-42-0, Avesh Khan 8-1-62-3, Krunal Pandya 9-0-33-1, Axar Patel 9-1-36-0, Sundar 7-0-54-1.

WEST INDIES A

R Gaikwad c wkp Thomas b Paul 20

Anmolpreet Singh run out 11

H Vihari c Rutherford b Chase 20

K Pandya c Carter b Pierre 45

*M Pandey c & b Powell 24

+Ishan Kishan c Reifer b Paul 14

W Sundar c Shepherd b Powell 45

Axar Patel not out 81

Khaleel Ahmed c Rutherford b Reifer 15

Navdeep Saini run out 0

Avesh Khan not out 1

Extras (b2, lb2, w11, nb2) 17

TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) 293

Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-36, 3-82, 4-123, 5-127, 6-160, 7-220, 8-289, 9-291.

Bowling: Shepherd 4-0-34-0, Paul 10-1-61-2, Pierre 10-0-41-1, Chase 10-0-42-1, Reifer 9-1-64-1, Powell 7-0-47-2.

Result: West Indies A won by five runs.

Series: India A lead five-match series 3-1.

Toss: India A.

Umpires: G Brathwaite, N Duguid.

Source: CWI Media

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THIRD STRAIGHT DEFEAT FOR WEST INDIES “A”

NORTH SOUND, Antigua – West Indies “A” failed to build on a tidy, half-century opening stand between John Campbell and Sunil Ambris, and slumped to another defeat against India “A” by 148 runs in their One-day series.

Ambris scored 30 and Campbell made 21, putting on 51, but the rest of the batting failed to fire, except all-rounder Keemo Paul, whose 34 was the top score, as West Indies “A”, chasing 296 for victory, were bowled out for 147 in 34.2 overs in the third match of the series at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here.

WI A v IND A - Keemo Paul.jpgNone of the other home team batsmen reached 20, as Krunal Pandya scythed through the batting with a spell of 5-25 from seven overs.

The result meant that Roston Chase’s side now trail the five-match series 0-3, with the next match set for Thursday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground a few kilometres away.

Dropped catch - WI A v IND A.jpgEarlier, off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and Romario Shepherd grabbed two wickets apiece, but they and the rest of the West Indies “A” attack failed to make inroads into the India “A” batting, as the visitors’ captain Manish Pandey hit a sparkling, even 100 and opener Shubman Gill supported with 77.

Rahkeem Cornwall - WI A v IND A.jpgShepherd grabbed the early scalp of Anmolpreet Singh for a four-ball duck, but Shreyas Iyer came to the crease and put on 109 for the second wicket with Gill.

Cornwall removed Gill and Iyer for 47 respectively, in the space of 11 deliveries to leave India “A” 137 for three, but Pandya shared 110 with Hanuma Vihari for the fourth wicket to consolidate their side’s advantage before the last six overs yielded 48.

The Indians won both the first and second One-day matches at the CCG and here respectively, by 65-run margins.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA “A”(maximum 50 overs)

S. Gill c wkpr Thomas b Cornwall 77

A. Singh c Campbell b Shepherd 0

S. Iyer c Powell b Cornwall 47

*M. Pandey lbw b Shepherd 100

H. Vihari c Ambris b Reifer 29

+I. Kishan b Paul 24

K. Pandya not out 2

W. Sundar not out 3

Extras (w12, nb1) 13

TOTAL (6 wkts, 50 overs) 295

D. Chahar, A. Khan, N. Saini did not bat

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-122, 3-137, 4-247, 5-286, 6-292

Bowling: Shepherd 10-1-51-2 (w3); Jordan 5-0-37-0; Paul 10-0-53-1 (nb1, w2); Reifer 9-0-62-1 (w2); Cornwall 10-0-37-2 (w2); Chase 3-0-32-0 (w3); Powell 3-0-23-0

WEST INDIES “A” (target: 296 off 50 overs)

J. Campbell c Iyer b Saini 21

S. Ambris lbw b Khan 30

R. Reifer c Gill b Pandya 19

*R. Chase b Pandya 15

J. Carter c Sundar b Pandya 4

+D. Thomas c Vihari b Sundar 1

R. Powell c Iyer b Pandya 1

R. Cornwall c wkpr Kishan b Vihari 5

R. Shepherd c Vihari b Pandya 4

K. Paul c Saini b Vihari 34

A. Jordan not out 0

Extras (b4, lb6, w3) 13

TOTAL (all out, 34.2 overs) 147

Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-65, 3-89, 4-102, 5-103, 6-103, 7-109, 8-109, 9-117

Bowling: Chahar 5-0-15-0; Saini 5-0-33-1 (w1); Sundar 10-0-27-1; Khan 5-0-14-1 (w2); Pandya 7-0-25-0; 2.2-0-23-2

Result: India “A” won by 148 runs

Series: India “A” lead five-match series 3-0

Toss: India “A”

Player-of-the-Match: Manish Pandey (India “A”)

Umpires: N. Duguid, P. Gustard

Match referee: V. Burnes

Reserve umpire: G. Brathwaite

Source: CWI Media

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SHEPHERD, REIFER UPSTAGED, AS INDIA “A” WIN AGAIN

NORTH SOUND, Antigua – Guyana Jaguars teammates Romario Shepherd and Raymon Reifer were upstaged by the pair Ruturaj Gaikwad and Navdeep Saini, as West Indies “A” suffered a 65-run defeat against India “A” in their One-day series on Sunday.

Shepherd grabbed 4-36 from his allotted 10 overs with the ball, but Gaikwad hit five fours and two sixes in the top score of 85 off 102 balls and fellow opener Shubman Gill supported with 62 from 83 balls to anchor the Indians to 255 for eight from their allocation of 50 overs in the second match of the series of five, played at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

In reply, left-hander Reifer led the way for West Indies “A” with seven fours and three sixes in 71 from 105 balls, Shepherd completed a tidy all-round performance with 34 and Sunil Ambris made 24.

But the home team’s batting was undermined by Navdeep Saini with 5-46 from 8.5 overs and they were dismissed for 190 in 43.5 overs.

The result meant that Roston Chase’s side trail 0-2 in the five-match series which continues on Tuesday at the same venue.

The skipper nonetheless recognizes areas for the team to get better in for the matches ahead.

Choosing to field, West Indies “A” were put on the backfoot, when Gaikwad and Gill laid a firm foundation with an opening stand of 151 before Shepherd engineered the unravelling of their innings with his fast-medium bowling.

Shepherd made the breakthrough in the 31st over, when he trapped Gill lbw and followed up with the scalp of Shreyas Iyer, the visitors’ first-match hero, two overs later. In between Khary Pierre removed Gaikwad, as India “A” stumbled to 153 for three.

But West Indies “A” met defiance again, when Manish Pandey and Hanuma Vihari added 53 for the fourth wicket before India “A” lost their next five wickets for 49 in the space of 45 balls.

The hosts suffered an early setback, when left-handed opener John Campbell fell in the second over and wobbled to 108 for seven in the 30th over.

But Shepherd came to the crease and shared 69 for the eighth wicket with Reifer to add some respectability to the West Indies “A” total before the last three wickets fell cheaply for 13 in the space of 20 balls.

 

Source: CWI Media

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