Windies’ attack put to the sword by Club Cricketers

West Indies were given a wake-up call on the bowling front after being dominated by a NSW/ACT XI on day three of their tour match in Canberra tonight.

Responding to the West Indies 429 for 4 declared, the NSW/ACT XI continued their manhandling of the West Indies from yesterday. The Australians reached 426 for 4 declared in only 97 overs with 24-year-old captain and opener Blake Macdonald finishing unbeaten on 177 with 15 boundaries and five sixes. Justin Avendano also got among the runs with 54. West Indies second innings started poorly when Tagenarine Chanderpaul was caught behind off fast bowler Peter Francis for 4. 

Oliver Davies, the New South Wales and Sydney Thunder batter, was the star of the day on Thursday, producing an innings that featured 14 fours and three sixes from 106 deliveries. MacDonald and Jack Attenborough joined in on the fun at West Indies’ expense, the later making 51.

West Indies spearhead Kemar Roach was economical with figures of 0 for 20 from 10 overs. But 21-year-old right-armer Jayden Seales (0-47 off 10 overs), Alzarri Joseph (0-40 off 10 overs) and spinner Roston Chase (0-50 off 10 overs) were among the bowlers who struggled for impact. When the innings was completed tonight Chase ended with 1 for 117 from 23 overs. Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood and captain Kraigg Brathwaite were the other wicket-takers.

Former captain Jason Holder, who made 50 with the bat before retiring, didn’t bowl yesterday or today.

Devon Thomas made 77.

Starting day two at Manuka Oval on 297 for 5, West Indies lifted the run-rate with  Devon Thomas top-scoring with an unbeaten 77. Thomas and Joseph put on an unbroken 104-run stand for the 10th wicket. Thomas made a case for his long-awaited Test debut with a classy knock. The right-hander, who celebrated his 33rd birthday last weekend, only needed 79 deliveries for his innings with shots around the ground.

Some of the west Indians missed out on valuable batting practice. Wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (3) and Chase (12) both perished cheaply, to leave the innings on 320 for nine.

But then Thomas produced his thrilling knock, punching seven fours and two sixes in his last wicket stand with Joseph who hit two fours and a six in an unbeaten 33.

What would be troubling for the West Indies is that their bowling attack was taken apart by batsmen without first-class experience. Davies, a 22-year-old right-hander who is yet to feature in a first class match, hammered the Windies to all parts of the ground

West Indies assembled Down Under earlier this month and are preparing for the first Test in Perth starting November 30.

They will face the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in a four-day, day/night contest at Manuka Oval starting next Wednesday, in their final warm-up game ahead of the two-Test series which ends in Adelaide. 

(Cricinfo/WG)