Carter pleased with Windies showing

dubai — West Indies allrounder Jonathan Carter was pleased with how things panned out for his team and himself on the first day of the two-day warm-up game against the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) XI at the ICC Cricket Academy on Monday.

The 28-year-old shone with both bat and ball to floor the ECB XI. After the West Indies had opted to take first strike, they went on to make 249 for six in 70 overs before declaring.

Shai Hope top scored with 59, while opener and captain for this game Leon Johnson too made a half-century. Jermaine Blackwood scored 45, while Roston Chase, who had scored an unbeaten century against India, in only his second Test, made 38.

Carter chipped in with 22 from 26 balls with two boundaries and a six.

After which, it was sorry picture for the ECB XI, who were left tottering at 56 for 7 when stumps were drawn.

And Carter it was who had done the damage with 4-20, while his fast bowling partner Miguel Cummins took 3-12.

“I had a pretty good day and I enjoyed it as I always enjoy my batting and bowling. When I went out to bowl I took four wickets, I enjoyed that, had the ball moving a bit,” Carter said on Monday. Carter, who is part of the ODI squad but not in the Test squad, enhanced his case for selection for the third ODI in Abu Dhabi.

“Everyone has a chance to play after not being selected for the first two games. We would be looking to cash in and show everyone what you have got and what you are made of. If given a chance to bowl, bowl as tight as possible, take as many wickets as possible and do my job in the field,” he said.

Meanwhile, Leon Johnson, said it was a good day’s work.

“We were able to bat 70 overs and couple of the guys were tired after getting half centuries. We’ve been putting in a lot of work over the last couple of days, trying to get acclimatized to the weather here. It’s very hot, so it’s very good that we managed to get 249 on the board and have them 56 for 7. It was good work from Cummins and Carter as well,” said Johnson.

About his own performance, he said: “It felt good to be out in the middle there for the better part of 40 overs. There’s no substitute for actual cricket and it as good to be out there for 40 overs.”