ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich led a trio of half-century makers as West Indies President’s XI recovered from a shaky start to stretch the touring Australians on the opening day of their three-day tour match here yesterday.
The right-handed Dowrich carved out a top score of 78, opener Rajindra Chandrika stroked 74 while Roston Chase finished unbeaten on 65, knocks that propelled the hosts up to 288 for five after they won the toss and opted to bat.
Jason Mohammed was also eyeing a half-century, finishing the day unbeaten on 42.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, with two for 26, and leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, two for 95, picked up two wickets apiece.
Australia had the better of the rain-hit first session, however, picking up three quick wickets to reduce the President’s XI to 38 for three, before a second rain stoppage soon afterward forced an early lunch to be taken at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Opener Tyrone Theophile fell in the day’s ninth over, lasting just over half-hour for his four before slicing Hazlewood to gully where he was taken by Mitchell Marsh.
Two overs later, captain Leon Johnson steered the seventh ball he faced to his opposite number Michael Clarke at gully, to depart without scoring and give Hazlewood his second wicket, leaving the hosts tottering on 20 for two.
Shamarh Brooks lasted all of 14 deliveries for his four before driving off-spinner Nathan Lyon inside out to Shaun Marsh at cover, as the President’s XI declined at lunch, leaving Chandrika unbeaten on 27 at the break.
Afterward, Chandrika and Dowrich posted 103 for the fourth wicket to lead the recovery and help repel Australia’s attack.
Overall, the right-handed Chandrika struck ten fours and faced 132 balls in an innings spanning a trifle over three hours while Dowrich, also a right-hander, hit seven fours and a six off 167 balls in another three-hour sojourn.
When Chandrika was bowled by a faster one from Ahmed just before tea, Dowrich and Chase added 56 for the fifth wicket to further frustrate the Aussies.
Dowrich perished with a century in sight, however, lofting Lyon to Peter Siddle at mid-on.
It was to be the last success for the Australians as Chase and Mohammed added an impressive 91 in an unbroken sixth wicket stand.
Chase, a 23-year-old right-hander, has so far struck nine fours in a breezy 110-ball knock and was supported by Mohammed whose innings has included four fours and a six and required 94 balls.
The game is the only warm-up fixture for Australia before they face West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series at Windsor Park in Dominica starting next Wednesday.
Scoreboard
WI PRESIDENT’S XI 1st Innings
T Theophile c M Marsh b Hazlewood 4
R Chandrika b Ahmed 74
*L Johnson c Clarke b Hazlewood 0
S Brooks c S Marsh b Ahmed 4
+S Dowrich c Siddle b Lyon 78
R Chase not out 65
J Mohammed not out 42
Extras (b7, lb8, w1, nb5) 21
TOTAL (5 wkts, 91 overs) 288
To bat: C Brathwaite, J Warrican, M Mindley, M Cummins.
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-20, 3-38, 4-141, 5-197.
Bowling: Hazlewood 15-6-26-2 (nb1), Siddle 13-3-29-0, Lyon 24-4-73-1, M Marsh 10-1-37-0, Ahmed 25-5-95-2, Voges 4-0-13-0.
AUSTRALIA – Michael Clarke (captain), Shaun Marsh, Chris Rogers, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Fawad Ahmed.
Toss: WI President’s XI.
Umpires: Leslie Reifer Jr, Nigel Duguid.
