ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase reminded West Indies selectors of their talent with their second half-centuries of the contest, as the three-day game against Australia finished in a tame draw on the final day here yesterday.Playing at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Dowrich hit 53 not out and Chase, 55 before retiring, as the West Indies President’s XI finished on 161 for four.
They had earlier secured a lead of 132 on first innings after producing a top effort to claim the last four Australian wickets for 45 runs, and dismiss the tourists for 250.
The effort was inspired by fast bowler Marquino Mindley who picked up two of the wickets to fall to finish with two for 42 while seamer Carlos Brathwaite accounted for opener Shaun Marsh before he added to his overnight 118 not out, to claim three for 39.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican did not add to his three-wicket tally from day two, and ended with three for 93.
As the wickets fell, number 10 Josh Hazlewood resisted 1-1/2 hours for an unbeaten 31 with five fours, to rally the lower order.
Seamer Hazlewood then blew away top order of the President’s XI, accounting for opener Rajindra Chandrika, captain Leon Johnson and Shamarh Brooks, all without scoring, to leave the hosts in tatters at 25 for three.
Chandrika, who got a half-century in the first innings, sliced a drive to Mitchell Marsh at gully in the opening over with five runs on the board while Johnson played across a straight one and was lbw.
Brooks, who also failed in the first innings, then played back and across in the fifth over to give Hazlewood his third wicket.
Tyrone Theophile struck 26, crunching six fours off 34 balls but was bowled by fast bowler Peter Siddle pushing forward, as the President’s XI slumped to 41 for four.
However, Dowrich and Chase arrived to repair the innings, putting on exactly 100 for the fifth wicket, before Chase retired.
The right-handed Chase, who has played 19 first class games, faced 103 balls in nearly two hours at the crease and struck six fours. He made 76 in the first innings.
Dowrich, meanwhile, who top-scored with 78 in the first innings, counted five fours off 126 balls in a knock lasting a shade over 2-1/2 hours.
West Indies selectors are now expected to select a 14-man squad for the first Test against Australia starting next Wednesday, with two players from the President’s XI expected to join the 12 currently in a training camp.
