Windies pair blast first test warning

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 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Friday, in encouraging fashion.

The West Indies scored at a fast rate, finishing 451-9 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, near Christ- church, with Ambris and the highly-rated Shai Hope frustrating the New Zealand A attack with centuries.

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, but he must be pushing for a spot at the Basin on this evidence.

Hope showed his class after coming to the wicket with the West Indies in a precarious position at 45-2.

Hope 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 a 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. West Indies 451-9 (Sunil Ambris 153, Shai Hope 110, Roston Chase 49, Shane Dowrich 35; Lockie Ferguson 5-67, Logan van Beek 2-60) met