A century from Shai Hope capped a productive final day with the bat as the Best versus Best clash came to a stalemate yesterday at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
Responding to Team Blackwood’s 384 for six declared, Team Brathwaite resumed the day on 73 for two and eventually ended on 281 for four from 128.2 overs
Hope, who started the day without a run, went on to make 102 not out from 260 balls while hitting 10 fours and two sixes.
The wicketkeeper/batsman played solidly with skipper Kraigg Brathwaite who made 78 from 235 balls before retiring hurt. The opener, had already stroked 11 boundaries including one six.
Kyle Mayers picked up from where Brathwaite left off, hitting three boundaries during his 85-ball innings that produced 26 runs before he was trapped leg before wicket to Jermaine Blackwood (1-29).
Joshua Da Silva did not spend long at the crease, facing 17 balls before he was given out leg before wicket to leggie, Imran Khan who ended with 2-89.
Rahkeem Cornwall then saw his side off to the close of the day’s play with Hope as the pair added 57 for the fifth wicket. The burly Cornwall toiled for 65 deliveries, hitting two fours and one six on his way to 19 not out.
After the match, Test captain, Brathwaite said, “Even after this practice game, all the batters look good spending time,” at the crease.
From a personal standpoint, Brathwaite revealed that it felt good spending time in the middle, noting that it was “key.”
“I think it was a good day, the pitch was a bit slow but I think it was a good practice for the batters,” he stated.
