[www.inewsguyana.com] – Stroke-maker Marlon Samuels and veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul both struck form on the first day of the West Indies’ two-day practice match against a Barbados Select XI yesterday.
The right-handed Samuels cracked an entertaining 115 while Chanderpaul got 56, as the Windies were dismissed for 272 at the 3Ws Oval.
Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who has been called up as cover for injury-worry Chris Gayle, struck 46, but no other batsman passed 15.
Neither Samuels nor Chanderpaul were among the runs in the first warm-up game, a three-day affair at the same venue last week. However, both came to the fore, with just a week left before the first Test bowls off against New Zealand in Jamaica.
Samuels faced a mere 95 balls and counted 14 fours and five sixes, in just over two hours and 40 minutes at the crease.
Chanderpaul was also in an attacking mood, hammering three fours and three sixes off just 62 balls. The pair put on 67 for the fifth wicket which pulled the Windies around from 92 for four.
Brathwaite had earlier hit five fours and a six off 79 deliveries, but watched as opening partner Kieran Powell (15), Kirk Edwards (four) and Darren Bravo (nine) all failed.
Left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge was the best bowler with four for 58.
The game wraps up today and the squad flies out to Jamaica tomorrow to continue preparations for the first Test which starts Sunday at Sabina Park.
