Sinclair half-century hands WI-A nerve-wracking win

BENONI, South Africa, (CMC) – A gallant unbeaten half-century from Kevin Sinclair stunned South Africa-A and propelled West Indies-A to a come-from-behind one-wicket victory, in a thrilling finish to the opening four-day “Test” here Friday.
In pursuit of 224 after resuming the final morning at Willowmoore Park on eight without loss, West Indies-A crashed to 119 for seven just before tea, to look in danger of losing the contest and falling behind in the series.

Kevin Sinclair pulls en route to his unbeaten half-century on the final day of the opening four-day “Test” against South Africa-A on Friday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
The 24-year-old Sinclair entered at number seven to transform the run chase, however, carving out a superb unbeaten 80 to put the visitors over the line.
Displaying excellent temperament, he calmly put on 29 for the eighth wicket with Jayden Seales (12), 23 for the ninth with Shermon Lewis (2) before inspiring a nerve-wracking 53-run, unbroken last wicket stand with Jair McAllister who spent 34 balls over a crucial seven not out.
Sinclair, a compact right-hander with a first class average of 32, faced 150 deliveries in just over three hours at the crease and lashed eight fours and three sixes. However, the 27-year-old sliced the next delivery to cover and sprinted a couple, to spark celebratory scenes in the West Indies-A camp.
Earlier, West Indies-A lost Zachary McCaskie in the morning’s second over after he had added just one to his overnight five, caught at the wicket off seamer Mihlali Mpongwana (3-25) with nine runs on the board.