West Indies Showcase Unbeaten Half-Centuries in Warm-Up Match Ahead of England Tour Draw

Alick Athanaze and Joshua Da Silva warmed up for higher-intensity battles in the coming weeks with unbeaten half-centuries that were the highlights for West Indies, before the opening match on their Tour of England against the First Class Counties Select XI ended in a draw on Friday.

Athanaze was not out on 66 and Da Silva was not out on 51 when West Indies declared their second innings on 196 for five at the rescheduled tea break on the rain-spoilt final day of the three-day match at Kent County Cricket Ground.

The Counties Select XI were 30 for two in their second innings when stumps were drawn in the match for the final time, after they were set an improbable target of 163 to win in the final session of play.

Uncapped pacer Jeremiah Louis, who replaced injured Kemar Roach in the West Indies squad for the tour, then got opener Harry Singh caught behind for a 12-ball duck, and Johann Layne, a member of the Cricket West Indies Academy squad returning to the Caribbean from their Tour of Ireland, got Jamal Richards caught behind for six before the two teams decided it was futile to continue.

“Barring a bit of adverse weather we have managed to get a lot of solid cricket played over the last three days so we are generally happy with what has happened on the tour so far,” West Indies Assistant Coach Jimmy Adams told CWI Media.

“What we would have wanted to get from the time spent out in the middle, we have gotten. The weather has been kind to us. We know that it could get a little bit rough [in England] but, all in all, we are very happy with what the weather has allowed, and the facilities we have been given, and what the guys have been able to produce.”

West Indies now head to the British capital of London where they will continue preparations ahead of the first Test against hosts England, starting on Wednesday, at the so-called home of the sport, Lord’s.

“I think it is important that they [batsmen] get as much live practice as they can in conditions that a lot of them are not familiar with,” Adams added.

“I would say that, irrespective of anywhere they have travelled outside of the Caribbean, a lot of them have not toured England before — some have, but a lot of the batters haven’t — so [this Tour match] was an opportunity for them to get as acquainted with conditions as possible before they run into the international opposition — and I think they have done it pretty well.”

Earlier, Athanaze and Da Silva shared 91 — unbroken — for the sixth wicket, after there was no play before lunch, with the visitors set to continue from their overnight total of 57 for two.