Kirk McKenzie missed out on a hundred and fellow opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was nearing one as West Indies ‘A’ enjoyed a productive day with the bat against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Sylhet.
By stumps on a shortened day one of the first unofficial Four-Day ‘Test’, West Indies ‘A’ reached 220-2 from 68 overs, a position made possible by a century opening partnership between McKenzie and Chanderpaul.
McKenzie, fresh off scores of 221 and 50 for West Indies Academy in the just concluded Headley/Weekes Tri-Series, extended his fine form with 86 off 124 balls (12x4s, 1×6), adding 130 for the first wicket with Test opener Chanderpaul.
Chanderpaul batted to the close, ending the day on 70 not out off 190 balls (5x4s), eyeing an eighth First-Class ton.
Raymon Reifer fell for 26 off 42 (4x4s), but another in-form batter Alick Athanaze joined Chanderpaul in an unbroken third-wicket stand so far worth 60.
Athanaze is unbeaten on 35 off 52 (6x4s). Saif Hassan (1-14) and Musfik Hasan (1-15) are the wicket-takers for Bangladesh ‘A’ thus far.
West Indies ‘A’ and Bangladesh ‘A’ will play three Four-Day ‘Tests’, with all games in Sylhet.
MATCH SCHEDULE
May 16-19: 1st ‘Test’
May 23-26: 2nd ‘Test’
May 30 to June 2: 3rd ‘Test’
