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WI v Border : Game report

Monday, December 22 2003

Two days rain forced the West Indies to settle for a draw in the tour match against Border. The West Indians were left stranded on 168/3 with a lead of 195 at stumps of day two, which represented the last bit of play in the match.

Due to a five-wicket haul by an impressive Tyron Henderson (5/57), the tourists' first innings effort was limited to just 278. Of those runs, Lara (opening the batting) struck 81 (16 fours) and Chanderpaul hit 98 (19 fours). Dave Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul and Adam Sanford faced a combined 18 balls as they were all dismissed for ducks, bringing a swift close to the innings.

In reply, Border looked strong at 100/2 before Sanford removed Pope (28), Kreusch (8) and Gamiet (0) in the space of 3 runs to leave the score at 103/5. Border once again rose to a strong position as Pieter Strydom, decisively attacking Dave Mohammed left-arm spin, upped the tempo and the score to 224/6. Drakes (2/21) accounted for Sodumo (25) on this score and Mohammed got revenge on his persecutor 14 runs later, having Strydom caught for 74 (93 balls, 9 fours, 3 sixes).

The innings was then rather briskly wrapped up for 251. Adam Sanford finished with superb bowling figures of 5/53. His fellow injury-replacement, Dave Mohammed grabbed 3/89.

With a 27-run lead, the West Indians took the field again, this time in batting gear. Wavell Hinds stuck around for 24 balls before his misery was ended, caught behind for 1. Dwayne Smith now entered the show and proceeded to show off his skills of aggressive batting by smacking 31 from 27 balls, laced with 7 fours. Strydom then had him LBW and Baugh (30 off 42 balls, 5 fours) the same.

All this time Sarwan, opening the batting and desperately searching for form, had begun to play some gorgeous strokes through the off-side whilst growing in confidence with every ball face. This is crucial after a low run of scores for the West Indian vice-captain, including 4 in the first innings. He and his new partner Drakes added 34 runs to the close. At stumps on what turned out to be the final day of the match, Sarwan stood impressively on 71 not out, Drakes with him on 24. Strydom (2/30) capped off a good all-round game for himself with a couple of wickets.

The second Test starts on Boxing Day (26th December) after the first Test was won by South Africa by 189 runs.

Match Summary:
West Indians 1st innings 278 ao (71 overs)
(S Chanderpaul 98, BC Lara 81, CS Baugh 29)
(T Henderson 5/57, PC Strydom 2/41, AAW Pringle 2/67)
Border 1st innings 251 ao (60.4 overs)
(PC Strydom 74, MB Smith 32, SC Pope 28)
(A Sanford 5/53, D Mohammed 3/89, VC Drakes 2/21)
West Indians 2nd innings 168/3 (42.1 overs)
(RR Sarwan 71 not out, DR Smith 31, CS Baugh 30)

Result: Game drawn

Posted by Liam