Jamaicans Blackwood, Bonner struggles continue
Jamaican middle-order batsmen Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner continue to find the going tough on the tour of England as the pair scored one and nought, respectively, for Jason Holder’s XI, who reached 120 for five on day two of their four-day practice match against Kraigg Brathwaite’s XI at Old Trafford.
With the first day abandoned due to rain, the players finally got some match action on today’s second day; however, the batters found the going tough in overcast conditions.
It was an all-Jamaican connection that accounted for the wicket of Blackwood, who went caught by John Campbell off Marquino Mindley for one to leave Holder’s XI on 85 for 3.
Two runs later, Bonner became the first of two wickets for Barbadian pacer Chemar Holder, as the right-hander faced just seven balls before he was caught by compatriot John Campbell without scoring.
Blackwood has so far recorded scores of three, 15 and one on tour, with Bonner only managing five, 24 and zero.
PICKING UP A WICKET APIECE
Meanwhile, Chemar Holder finished with two for 15 from five overs, with Oshane Thomas, Marquino Mindley and Anderson Phillip picking up a wicket apiece.
Thomas, who opened the bowling, bowled opener Shayne Moseley with the first ball of the match.
A resolute unbeaten knock of 60 from Trinidadian wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva and 25 from Sunil Ambris helped to spruce up Holder’s XI score.
Da Silva has so far faced 107 balls and hit eight fours in his knock.
Barbadian pacer Holder, who was the pick of the bowlers, says he has been adapting to conditions well since being in the UK.
“It was a pretty good day for me today. I thought I could have done even better, but picking up two wickets is good and I will take that most days,” said Holder.