Da Silva (105), Hodge (99), Sinclair (3-38) highlight draw against Cricket Australia XI
SUMMARY: West Indies 251-8 declared (Justin Greaves 65, Kraigg Brathwaite 52, Kavem Hodge 52; Liam Haskett 3-57) and 315-5 declared (Joshua Da Silva 105, Kavem Hodge 99, Justin Greaves 41*; Liam Haskett 3-65) vs CA XI 174 all out (Tim Ward 50; Kemar Roach 2-23, Shamar Joseph 2-28, Alzarri Joseph 2-40) and 149-5 (Tim Ward 39, Jayden Goodwin 33, Jack Clayton 32; Kevin Sinclair 3-38)
Joshua Da Silva wrapped up West Indies’ on-field preparations for the Frank Worrell Trophy by hitting a century against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide.
Five days out from the first Test in the South Australian capital, Da Silva offered the tourists hope on Friday with a fine 105 against an inexperienced attack at Karen Rolton Oval.
Test hopeful Kavem Hodge did his chances of a debut no harm with 99, before being bowled by spinner Doug Warren agonisingly close to reaching three figures.
Hodge was desperately unlucky when a ball spun out of the rough, hit the right-hander’s back leg and bounced onto the stumps.
Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten 41 to go with his first-innings 65, helping the tourists to 315-5 declared in their second visit to the middle, and a sizeable lead of 392.
There do, however, remain some concerns for the tourists. The men likely to bat numbers three and four in Adelaide both failed again, with Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze backing up their first-innings scores of 23 and zero with nine and 15 respectively.
West Indies need more out of the pair in the two-Test series, given they are likely to field debutants in Hodge and Greaves at numbers five and six.
The CA XI were able to hold on for 39 overs to draw the game. West Indies off-spinning all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, famous for his somersault celebrations after wickets, claimed 3-38.
That will help his case for a Test call-up as he battles with Greaves for a spot in the side.
The tourists will have to play at least three debutants at Adelaide Oval, with seven uncapped players in their 15-man squad.
That lack of top-level experience highlights the predicament Test cricket finds itself in, with Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers the latest West Indies players to prioritise T20 leagues over the five-day format. (ESPNcricinfo)
Match Schedule (start times in brackets)
17-21 January: 1st Test at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (Start Time: 15-20 January 7:30pm Eastern Caribbean/6:30pm Jamaica)
25-29 January: 2nd Test at the Gabba, Brisbane (Start Time: 12 midnight Eastern Caribbean (24-28 January 11pm Jamaica)
Australia vs. West Indies ODI Series Schedule (Match start time in brackets)
1st ODI – 2 February – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne (2:30pm local time/12am Eastern Caribbean/11pm Jamaica)
2nd ODI – 4 February – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (2:30pm local time/12am Eastern Caribbean/11pm Jamaica)
3rd ODI – 6 February – Manuka Oval, Canberra (2:30pm local time/12am Eastern Caribbean/11pm Jamaica)
Australia vs. West Indies T20I Series Schedule (Match start time in brackets)
1st T20I – 9 February – Bellerive Oval, Hobart (7:00pm local time/4:30am Eastern Caribbean/3:30am Jamaica)
2nd T20I – 11 February – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (6:30pm local time/4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica)
3rd T20I – 13 February – Perth Stadium, Perth (4pm local time/1:30am Eastern Caribbean/12:30am Jamaica)
