KLERKDORP, South Africa, CMC – West Indies failed to hold off Cape Cobras’ rampant late surge and lost by three wickets with two balls to spare in their unofficial ICC Champions Trophy warm-up fixture on Saturday.
Batting first, West Indies posted 327 for seven off their 50 overs and the Cobras responded with 329 for seven off 49.4 overs at the Markotter Stadium in North West Province.
For the West Indies, the experienced left-hander Devon Smith cracked a stroke-filled 84 off 118 balls with nine boundaries.
Smith hit nine boundaries before being dismissed in the final power play as he tried to accelerate the run-rate.
The Nevisian 19-year-old left-handed opener Kieran Powell, and wicket-keeper/batsman Chadwick Walton also stroked half-centuries.
Powell hit a solid 62 off 53 balls with eight fours and two sixes while sharing in an innings-best stand of 79 for the second wicket with Smith.
Walton, batting at No.6, made the most of his opportunity. He smashed the ball with power to make 69 not out from 62 balls with seven crisp boundaries.
There were also good knocks from opener Dale Richards, 33 off 31 balls, and Darren Sammy, who crashed a fiery 31 from just 14 balls.
Sammy, who led the side while captain Floyd Reifer rested, struck four boundaries and a six.
West Indies appeared to tighten their grip on the game when pacer Kemar Roach grabbed two wickets in his first three overs as the Cobras stuttered to 92 for four and later 128 for five.
But Richard Levi hit 84, Bryan Canning 71 not out, and Andrew Puttick 52 in the Cobras’ thrillingly successful run-chase.
Roach finished with three for 62 off 9.4 overs and his new-ball partner Tino Best claimed two for 63 off 10.
The West Indies will have another warm-up match on Monday against North West Dragons in the suburb of Witrand.
Before the September 22 start of the ICC Champions Trophy, West Indies will play official warm-up matches on September 18 against South Africa and Sri Lanka on September 20.
West Indies open their Champions Trophy campaign on September 23 against Pakistan in Group A.