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WI v MCC : Day 2

Thursday, July 15 2004

Chris Gayle and Brian Lara were called to the rescue for the West Indies on day two of their tour match against the MCC. Having been knocked over quickly for 380 from their overnight first innings score of 377/6, the West Indian bowlers fought their team back into the game after the early MCC batting dealt appreciably with the new ball.

Batting a second time, the West Indians slumped to 50/5 until the two left-handers rebuilt. Gayle ended unbeaten on 60 from 73 balls whilst Lara made his stand with 34 from 41 balls. The current partnership of 65 sees the score at stumps, 115/5 with an overall lead of 235.

In the morning session, Matthew Hoggard (18-6-32-4) and Simon Jones (17-1-77-2) worked over the tourists' lower order, taking the last 4 wickets for 7 runs in 2 overs. Targeting a total of 380 on first stride, the Marylebone batsmen set about their work. Pedro Collins (14-0-66-0) and Fidel Edwards (8-0-49-0) were made to find work hard as Simon Koenig (79) and Alester Cook (49) smacked a quick 105 for the first wicket.

Gayle separated the two and Michael Powell joined the fun with a fair 27 after a slow start. Quick contributions came from Test batsman Graham Thorpe (32 from 39 balls) and Dale Berkenstein (39 from 52 balls) but no one suggested much permanence and ultimately Dwayne Smith wrapped up the tail with 3 wickets in his only over, costing just 4 runs. Jermaine Lawson (2/38), Dwayne Bravo (2/29) and Omari Banks (2/52) were the other notable wicket-takers.

With a lead of 120 runs on first innings, the West Indians started again, but were soon in trouble due Hoggard's double strike of Devon Smith (3) and Dwayne Smith (0) with successive deliveries - 9/2. Chanderpaul (10) provided some stability alongside Gayle, but the score was improved only to 48 when he too was back in the pavilion. Baugh (0) was Hoggard's third victim of the innings and Bravo's 1 took 2 balls to compile and then South African Charl Willoughby trapped him in front on his 3rd.

At 50/5 Lara entered with his team in familiar crisis and counterattacked to defend. He has hit 5 fours in his 34 whilst Gayle has 10 in his 60. Hoggard's haul of 3 for 42 and Willoughby's 2 for 25 are the big efforts thus far. Test bowler Simon Jones ended the day with figures of 6-1-25-0.

Match Summary:

West Indians 1st innings 380 ao (95 overs)
DS Smith 142, BC Lara 113 retired, CH Gayle 43, CS Baugh 38
MJ Hoggard 4/32, SP Jones 2/77, MM Patel 2/82

MCC 1st innings 260 ao (58 overs)
SG Koenig 79, AN Cook 49, DM Berkenstein 39
DR Smith 3/4, DJJ Bravo 2/29, JJC Lawson 2/38, OAC Banks 2/52

West Indians 2nd innings 115/5 (26 overs)
CH Gayle 60 not out, BC Lara 34 not out
MJ Hoggard 3/42, CM Willoughby 2/25

Posted by Liam