Brathwaite sends Test signals

Leading West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite warmed up for next weekend’s first Test with a half-century, as the Caribbean side earned a tame draw against New Zealand A in their three-day match here yesterday.

Having failed in the first innings, the right-hander carved out 88 in the second on the final day of the contest at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, to find form ahead of the two-Test series against the Black Caps.

West Indies, resuming from 53 for two overnight, were dismissed for 186, with wicketkeeker Shane Dowrich chipping in with 47 to follow up his first innings 35.

Worryingly, however, there was another failure for Jermaine Blackwood, who fell without scoring after making just four in the first innings.

PREDICTED DRAW

Hamish Bennett led New Zealand A with three for 50 while fellow seamers Jimmy Neesham (2-16), Lockie Ferguson (2-24) and Logan van Beek (2-46) all finished with two wickets each.

The hosts then rattled up 72 without loss as the match petered out into a predictable draw, with West Indies affording their bowlers decent spells in preparation for the first Test.

Jeet Raval stroked an unbeaten 32, and captain Tom Latham, 28 not out, both players using the game to also get in tune for the Test series.

The first Test gets under way at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on December 1.