West Indies set for humiliating loss in opening tour match
The West Indies are poised for a humiliating defeat in the opening match of their tour of Australia against a Cricket Australia XI.
Jason Holder’s side are three wickets from defeat to a side that features six players making their first-class debuts. Of the hosts’ line-up, only Jordan Silk and Cameron Boyce have played more than 10 four-day matches.
The CA XI resumed on 245-4 on day three and, thanks in part to 76 from Matthew Short, reached 444 on Friday before being bowled out in response to the Windies’ first-innings total of 243.
Holder took 4-76 and was unbeaten on 26 at the close of play after watching his team-mates collapse against an inexperienced side in Brisbane.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood both went for ducks and Darren Bravo was dismissed for just five as the Windies finished the day on 125-7, still needing 76 runs to make the CA XI bat again.
Ryan Lees took 3-37 for the hosts, with James Bazley and Boyce bagging two wickets apiece.
The first Test of a three-match series with Australia starts next Thursday at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
