Windies A face uphill task on final day

THE WEST Indies A will be facing an uphill task on Monday to save, or force an improbable victory, on the final day of their second unofficial "Test" against hosts New Zealand A at Saxton Oval, Nelson.

The West Indies A, chasing a victory target of 358, will begin the last day on 26 without loss, with Kyle Mayers on 15 and Brandon King on eight.

The visitors, who started the third day on 142/5, in response to New Zealand A's 481/7 declared, were dismissed for 298 with opener Shayne Moseley hitting a painstaking but crucial 110 (267 balls, 11 fours) while Romario Shepherd struck 77 not out (101 balls, six fours and four sixes) and Keemo Paul 43 (56 balls, two fours and three sixes).

Pace bowler Doug Bracewell was the chief destroyer for the hosts with six wickets for 42 runs.

With a first innings lead of 183, New Zealand A raced to 174/7 declared off 27.5 overs with Mark Chapman scoring 40 and James Neesham 38. Spin did the trick for West Indies A with off-break bowler Rahkeem Cornwall getting 3/37 and Hayden Walsh 3/71 with his leg-breaks.

Summarised scores: NEW ZEALAND A 481-7 declared (Rachin Ravindra 144 not out, Michael Bracewell 135, Tim Seifert 60, Cam Fletcher 48, Mark Chapman 45; Rahkeem Cornwall 3-91, Fabian Allen 2-82) and 174-7 dec (Mark Chapman 40, James Neesham 38, Scott Kuggeleijn 34; Rahkeem Cornwall 3-37, Hayden Walsh 3-71) vs WEST INDIES A 298 (Shayne Moseley 110, Romario Shepherd 77, Keemo Paul 43, Nicholas Pooran 26, Fabian Allen 21; Doug Bracewell 6-42) and 26-0.