Windies ‘A’ in command

CAPTAIN SHAMARH Brooks struck an unbeaten halfcentury to ram home the advantage his fast bowlers had established as West Indies ‘A’ dominated India ‘A’ on the opening day of the first fourday ‘Test’ yesterday.

Opting to bat first at Kent County Ground, India ‘A’ were bundled out cheaply for 133, with Hanuma Vihari topscoring with 37, Vijay Shankar getting 34 and captain Karun Nair, 20.

However, the Asian side failed to cope with the Windies ‘A’ pace attack as Sherman Lewis (4-35) and Chemar Holder (4-57) picked up four wickets apiece, and left-armer Raymon Reifer (2-20) added a brace.

EARLY STRUGGLE

In reply, Windies ‘A’ were struggling on 28 for two in the seventh over before Brooks arrived to play a skipper’s knock of 51 not out, anchoring two key stands to see his side to the close on 148 for three.

Left-handed opener John Campbell was lbw to speedster Ankit Rajpoot in the first over of the innings for two, and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood followed for 18 in the seventh, caught at the wicket off the same bowler.

But Brooks steadied the innings, adding 54 for the third wicket with the left-handed Hemraj, who made 42 off 63 balls in nearly two hours at the crease, striking six fours.

When Hemraj departed, Brooks found an ally in Sunil Ambris, whose unbeaten 24 has consumed 49 balls, just an over an hour and included three fours.

The right-handed Brooks has struck 10 fours in an innings spanning 103 balls.