Individual performances highlight Day One of “Best v Best” game

Jermaine Blackwood and Shai Hope were among the runs and Roston Chase and Chemar Holder took a combined seven wickets to highlight Day One of the West Indies “Best v Best” Four-Day game in preparation for the first Test against South Africa, starting June 10 in St. Lucia.

Playing at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Monday, Jermaine Blackwood XI made 264 all out, and then reduced Jahmar Hamilton XI to 44-4 by the close.

Blackwood XI won the toss and elected to bat first and they were led by the skipper and Hope, who both made fifties.

Hope, who opened the batting with John Campbell (who made 20 in a partnership of 62), scored 79 off 88 balls (13x4s, 1×6).

After Darren Bravo fell for seven and Kyle Mayers for a first ball duck- both to Holder- Blackwood took control, hitting 85 off 125 balls (10x4s, 2x6s).

However, he didn’t receive much support from the lower-order, save and except for Kavem Hodge, who scored 37 off 78 in a partnership of 77 for the sixth wicket.

Off-spinner Roston Chase led the bowling effort with 4-44 off 11.3 overs, fast bowler Holder took 3-44 off 10 and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican took 2-35 off 16.

In reply, Hamilton XI lost openers Kieran Powell (22) and Shayne Moseley (1) cheaply, as well as Nkrumah Bonner (0) and Shamarh Brooks (14). Chase (5*) and Paul Palmer (0*) are the not out batsmen.

Fast bowler Keon Harding has taken 2-23, while there is one each so far Guyanese Nial Smith and Shannon Gabriel.