West Indies ‘A’ in deep trouble

All-rounder Kevin Sinclair once against proved his worth with the bat with his second half-century of the tour, but another batting collapse on Wednesday’s day two left West Indies ‘A’ with all to do in order to save the decisive third four-day ‘Test’ against South Africa ‘A’.

Resuming the morning at Mangaung Oval on 17 for one, West Indies collapsed to 126 all out with Sinclair, batting at number seven, top-scoring with exactly 50 off 68 deliveries.

Teenaged left-hander Jordan Johnson chipped in with a fluent 33 on first class debut but no other batsman reached 20 as fast bowler Dane Paterson ripped through the innings with four for 34.

Batting a second time, the hosts reached 104 for three at the close – a lead of 252 runs heading into Thursday’s penultimate day.

Zubayr Hamza was unbeaten on 33 and together with Khaya Zondo (29 not out), they added 59 for the fourth wicket after fast bowler Shamar Joseph (3-26) wiped out the top order to reduce the innings to 45 for three.

Opener Raynard van Tonder struck 30.

With a disappointing performance in the second ‘Test’ in East London last week, West Indies would have been hoping for a turnaround but instead found themselves in the same rut.

Paterson was behind the early damage, removing opener Zachary McCaskie for 19, Kavem Hodge (0) and Kirk McKenzie (6) as the tourists lost three wickets for nine runs in quick time.

McCaskie, unbeaten on 12 at the start, added only seven before becoming the morning’s first casualty when he drove at a wide delivery and edged to Neil Brand at first slip to leave the score 24 for two.

Hodge perished in Paterson’s next over, prodding uncertainly and nicking to the ’keeper while McKenzie added four to his overnight two before missing a push and falling plumb lbw.

The 18-year-old Jordan, who faced 45 balls and struck four boundaries, put on 24 for the fourth wicket with captain Joshua Da Silva (5) while Sinclair belted eight fours in a 28-run, seventh wicket stand with Akeem Jordan (4), the two stands helping West Indies past the 100-run mark.

Trailing by 148 runs, West Indies hit back through the 24-year-old Joseph, who also picked up three wickets on Tuesday’s opening day.

The right-armer had captain Brand (4) caught at the wicket sparring at one which held its line, removed David Bedingham for six in his next over lbw playing across the line, and also trapped van Tonder lbw with a full length delivery.
(CMC)