Windies batsmen struggle in practice match

CAVE HILL, Barbados, CMC – West Indies batsmen struggled in the second innings of their three-day warm up match against a Barbados Select XI here yesterday.

They finished the day at 3Ws Oval on 113 for six, with newly appointed captain Denesh Ramdin unbeaten on 21.

Left-hander Kieran Powell (22) and Kirk Edwards (20) put on 35 for the first wicket but once they were separated, the Windies stumbled to the close losing wickets regularly.

Darren Bravo, who struck 124 on Monday’s first day, was prised out for only 11 while Marlon Samuels failed again with four.

Veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul, who got a first ball duck on Monday, scored four this time around before becoming the fifth wicket to fall with the score on 73.

Ramdin and Jason Holder, who struck a breezy 21 from 30 balls, then put on 33 for the sixth wicket to bolster the innings.

Off-spinner Chaim Holder has taken three for 24.

Earlier, the Select XI were dismissed for 143 after resuming the day on 26 for two. Opener Anthony Alleyne got 62 while all-rounder Raymon Reifer hit 37.

Samuels picked up four for 25 with his off-spin while fast bowler Kemar Roach, who is returning from injury, claimed three for 17. Pacer Jerome Taylor, who has not played international cricket in four years, finished with two for 20.

The game is the first of two matches scheduled as part of an ongoing preparation camp ahead of the three-Test series against New Zealand which bowls off June 8.