Mohammed, Blackwood hundreds propel West Indies A to victory
Centuries from Jason Mohammed and Jermaine Blackwood saw West Indies A posting an unassailable total against Worcestershire (Worcs) to mark their first win on tour in England yesterday.
West Indies A won the toss and decided to bat first, piling on 338-9 built on the back of a second consecutive century from Mohammed and restricting Worcs to 3178 in their allotted overs.
Jason Mohammed bettered his highest score in List A matches which he made in the last warm up match two days ago to stroke an eye-catching 142 while sharing a 238-run stand with opener, Blackwood who blazed a fine knock of 119.
West Indies A were in a spot of bother, losing Chandrapaul Hemraj for 20 and Devon Thomas with only 28 runs on the board but the third wicket stand showed fight and set the stage for the Caribbean side to project their innings into a total their bowlers could defend.
When Mohammed departed for his fifth century which comprised 11 fours and four sixes, Blackwood was able to bring his second century up with a brisk partnership of 46 of which he shared with Rovman Powell. Powell smacked a 24ball 42 but 19-year-old Dillon Pennington, playing in his third match was able to pick up his maiden five wicket haul, 5-67, while left arm seamer, Ross Whiteley also produced his best figures of 4-58.
In reply, West Indies A were forced on the back foot with George Rhodes blasted a top score of 95 and a century stand between Whiteley and Joshua Bell who stroked 70 and 46 respectively.
Rhodes shared an opening stand of 54 with his partner only managing eight of the total then shared a third wicket partnership of 79 with Jack Haynes before falling for his highest total in List A matches which saw him striking 13 fours and one six.
Chemar Holder, in his debut for West Indies A made an immediate impact with the 3-42 while Rahkeem Cornwall bagged 2-52. With a win under their belt, West Indies A will now face England Lions on Saturday in their first match of the triseries with India A as the third team. Quick scores West Indies A 338-9 (50 overs) Jason Mohammed 142 Jermaine Blackwood 119 Dillon Pennington 5-65 Ross Whiteley 4-58 Worcestershire 317-8 (50 overs) George Rhodes 95 Ross Whiteley 70 Chemar Holder 3-42 Rahkeem Cornwall 2-42