Quality centuries by Hope, Ambris frustrate NZ A
Uncapped batsman Sunil Ambris staked a claim for a West Indies test debut as the tourists dominated day one of their threeday tour match against New Zealand A.
Ambris was at his destructive best yesterday, hammering 153 as the West Indies warmed up for the first test against New Zealand, starting in Wellington on Friday, in encouraging fashion.
The West Indies scored at a fast rate, finishing 451-9 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, near Christchurch, with Ambris and Shai Hope frustrating the New Zealand A attack with tons.
They added 155 for the sixth wicket until Lockie Ferguson finally made the breakthrough, removing Hope for 110. Ferguson was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 5-67.
Ambris, who batted lower than usual at seven, offered few chances and cashed in during the final session against a tiring New Zealand A outfit, having been on 51 at tea. He clubbed 24 fours and a six in his 145-ball stay at the crease.
Not many Kiwi cricket fans would have heard of 24-year-old Ambris before this match, but he
looks a batsman of much ability and must be pushing for a spot in the first test.
Hope showed his class after coming to the wicket with the West Indies at 45-2. He will be high on the Black Caps’ scouting report leading into the first test. New Zealand coach Mike Hesson was at the ground and his quality innings wouldn’t have been lost on him.
He was the West Indies’ leading test run scorer on their recent tours of England and Zimbabwe. In the second test against England at Leeds, he was influential in guiding the West Indies to an upset five-wicket win, scoring 147 and 118 not out.
It was a mature knock from Hope, who many rate the most exciting young batting prospect in the West Indies.
He was the anchor they needed on a wicket that got better for batting as the day progressed.
Hope brought up his hundred shortly after tea with a cracking cover drive off Logan van Beek.
He scored all around the park, hitting 19 fours and a six in his near four hour innings.
The powerful right-hander was particularly savage on legspinner Todd Astle, who was ripping the ball down sharply. It was a difficult day for Astle who went wicketless for 97 runs from 14 overs.
New Zealand A had the West Indies in early trouble at 45-3 with Auckland speedster Ferguson looking lively, snaring two quick wickets. Fresh off match figures of 12-78 in his most recent Plunket Shield match against Otago, Ferguson looked the most dangerous of the New Zealand A bowlers, causing problems with his pace and accuracy.
Van Beek, who has been in impressive touch for Wellington in domestic cricket, also had his moments, taking 2-60 from 17 overs. Van Beek’s late grandfather Sammy Guillen represented the West Indies, as well as New Zealand.
Hope and Roston Chase got the West Indies back on track with an important 81-run fourth wicket partnership.
Chase, who is expected to bat at No 5 in the first test, got some welcome time in the middle, hitting 49 from 76 balls.
He was dropped at second slip from Ferguson’s bowling by New Zealand A skipper and test opener Tom Latham on 41, but the Cantabrian made amends shortly after.
Latham did well diving to his right to pull off a smart twohanded catch to remove Chase one short of his half century.