Benn, Shillingford among wickets as first Test looms

CAVE HILL, Barbados, CMC – Spinners Sulieman Benn and Shane Shillingford warmed up for next Sunday’s start of the first Test against New Zealand, with three-wicket hauls on the final day of West Indies’ two-day practice game here yesterday.

Left-armer Benn snared three for 45 while Shillingford, an off-spinner, picked up three for 91 as the Barbados Select XI made 247 all out at 3Ws Oval.

Both players were yesterday named in a 13-man squad for the first Test at Sabina Park.

Kavem Hodge followed up his four-wicket haul with a top score of 82 while Shai Hope chipped in with 58, to highlight the Barbados Select XI innings.

The pair added 109 for the fifth wicket to pull their side around from a dodgy position of 70 for four.

Hodge, a talented 21-year-old all-rounder from Dominica, faced 114 balls and struck seven fours and a six while Hope, a 20-year-old Barbadian wicketkeeper, gathered three fours and a six in 129 balls at the crease.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who finished with two for 21, bowled Hope to break the partnership while Shillingford accounted for Hodge who was eighth out with the score on 227.

Benn had earlier done much of the damage, bowling opener Anthony Alleyne for 22 and having the stylish Kyle Hope caught and bowled without scoring, to leave the Barbados Select XI stumbling.

West Indies made 272 in their first innings on Monday.

The game was the final practice match of the two-match camp, following the three-day encounter last week.

West Indies depart Barbados for Jamaica today.