Windies A snatch victory in first one-dayer
Part-time off-spinner Roston Chase had century-maker Sam Hain caught in the deep with three balls left, as West Indies A snatched a dramatic five-run victory, in the opening day/night one-dayer of the three-match series against England Lions on Tuesday night.
Chasing a competitive 273 at Coolidge Cricket Ground, debutant Hain struck a brilliant 144 to rescue Lions after their innings lay in shambles at 165 for nine in the 36th over.
He staged a last-wicket stand of 102 with Matthew Parkinson (15), which left Lions requiring eight from the final over with nine wickets down.
However, the 22-year-old Hain then lofted the third delivery of the over to Raymon Reifer on the long-on boundary, to end the innings with Lions just short of their target.
Hain, batting at number three, produced a brilliant effort which required 122 balls and contained a dozen fours and five sixes.
The visitors were undone by 20-year-old seamer Keemo Paul who just missed out on a hat-trick as he finished with five for 49, while off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall claimed two for 38.
Test star Jermaine Blackwood had earlier fallen short of a hundred with 99, while Cornwall made 44 and Andre McCarthy, 33, as Windies A rallied to 272 all out with a ball remaining, after opting to bat first.
Blackwood played responsibly, anchoring a series of partnerships to get Windies A up to a credible total.
He added 44 for the third wicket with McCarthy, put on a further 68 for the fourth wicket with Cornwall, before also posting 38 for the fifth with Jahmar Hamilton (14), and 40 for the sixth with Reifer (16).