Having won the toss and electing to bat first, the West Indies squandered a golden opportunity to capitalize on a good batting pitch, with very consistent bounce, and a fairly fast outfield, all which should have enabled them to make a big score, and

Colin Croft21-Jun-2000Having won the toss and electing to bat first, the West Indies squandered a golden opportunity to capitalize on a good batting pitch, with very consistent bounce, and a fairly fast outfield, all which should have enabled them to make a big score, and more importantly, get their batsmen some much needed practice for the 2nd Test a week on Thursday.At the close of play on Day 1, New Zealand “A”, in reply to the West Indies 1st innings of 232 all out, are 90-2, from 33 overs, with left-handed Mark Richardson on 38 not out, playing well, while Bruce Martin, the night-watchman, is yet to score. Richardson was dropped while on 04 by Chris Gayle at 2nd slip, while Michael Papps, then on 14, was also dropped by the same fieldsman, at the same position, this time from Franklyn Rose’s bowling, from the 1st ball of Rose’s second spell.Already out are James Marshall, who made 00, palpably LBW to a fast Reon King off-cutting delivery in the first over; New Zealand “A” 0-1, and Michael Papps, who made a very creditable 42, before he was caught by Chris Gayle at slip from Mahendra Nagamootoo’s bowling; 85-2. Papps and Richardson put on 85 for the 2nd wicket.Earlier, the West Indies started aggressively.With the Test team looking for an opener to partner Sherwin Campbell, who was rested for this game, Chris Gayle and Adrian Griffith opened the batting for the West Indies. They had put on 73 useful runs for the 1st wicket, before Griffith edged medium pacer Scott Styris to wicket-keeper Martyn Croy, for the first of four catches, plus a stumping, to be taken by the ‘keeper in the West Indies innings. Griffith had made 22 in 74 minutes, including two fours.Next to go was Gayle, who was bowled, off the inside edge, while playing a forcing shot outside off stump. The bowler then was Glen Sulzberger, and Gayle had made 43 compact runs from 70 deliveries, including nine boundaries. West Indies 73-2.That became 129-3 when Brian Lara advanced from his crease and lashed at off-spinner Sulzberger, missing by a mile, and being stumped by a mile. However, Lara had treated the spectators to a cameo innings of 33 in 39 deliveries, including six fours with his superb cover driving.Wavell Hinds, who batted at No. 3, and Ramnaresh Sarwan then put on 52 for the 4th wicket, before Hinds, who had played fairly aggressively, and sometime stylishly, edged a delivery from the tall and impressive Daryl Tuffey to wicket-keeper Croy; West Indies a handy 181-4; Hinds out for 61 made in 95 deliveries and including 10 well placed fours. Hinds was dropped at slip from Styris’s bowling before he had scoredFrom being 181-3 just before Hinds’s dismissal, the West Indies capitulated and surrendered their ascendancy in the game by finally succumbing for 232 all out, the final seven wickets producing only 51 runs after such a useful and productive start.Firstly, captain Jimmy Adams was caught at the wicket by Croy from Tuffy’s bowling for 02; 185-5. Surprisingly, Adams looked somewhat out of nick for someone who had batted so very well a few days ago in the 1st Test at Edgbaston.Sarwan and Mahendra Nagamooto brought up the 200 and took the total to 219 before Sarwan and Nagamootoo confused each other with a quick run after the ball was played to backward point, the resulting quick throw finding Sarwan well short of his ground; run out for a somewhat scratchy 24, made in 83 balls, with only two boundaries; West Indies 219-6.Franklyn Rose was soon out LBW, for 01, to left arm orthodox spinner Bruce Martin as he missed a straight ball; 225 -7. At 230, wickets 08 and 09 fell. Nixon McLean was caught by wicket-keeper Croy, the last of his four catches, to go with that stumping, a very good day for the ‘keeper. McLean had made 04, the bowler being Styris. Nagamootoo was then caught at slip by James Marshall, after making 25, including four fours, from a delivery that straightened somewhat, bowled by Bruce Martin.The West Indies were soon out for 232 when stand-in wicket-keeper Wayne Phillip, then on 02, was caught by Bruce Martin, fielding at mid-off, the batsman trying a pull from Scott Styris’s bowling. Reon King was 00 not out.For New Zealand “A”, Daryl Tuffey had 2-52 from 16 overs, while Scott Styris had 3-45 from 15.4 overs and Bruce Martin had 2-22 from 9 overs.For the West Indies, Reon King has 1-13 so far, while Mahendra Nagamootoo had 1-18.New Zealand “A” resume on the 2nd day at 90-2, still in arrears to the West Indies 232 by 142.