[UPDATED] Bowlers, Da Silva put Windies on top vs Australia XI

Unbeaten knocks from Joshua Da Silva (55 not out) and Kavem Hodge (44 not out) saw West Indies close out day three of the practice match against Cricket Australia XI with a lead of 214 runs with seven wickets remaining at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Thursday.

At the end of the day’s play, Da Silva and Hodge’s contributions propelled West Indies to 137/3 with two days to go, on the heels of the visitors’ first innings 251/8 declared, to which the Australian XI responded with 174.

Alick Athanaze, who was unable to get off the mark in the first innings, scored 15 on Thursday, Kirk McKenzie nine while opener Tagenarine Chaderpaul was dismissed without scoring after facing five balls.

West Indies, however, remain in control, despite the Aussie XI fielding a weakened team compared to their actual Test squad which comprises talents such as former captain Steve Smith, skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Unlike the opening day’s play, where Da Silva (four runs) batted in the middle order, he was invited by maroon skipper Kraigg Brathwaite to try his hand at the top of the innings.

The switch clearly paid off in runs.

After his unbeaten half century, Da Silva relished his chance to bat higher up the order.

“It was nice to get some time in the middle, Kraigg asked me if I’d like to go to the top and just have some time in the middle. Luckily I took advantage of it and was able to get some time out there.”

The wicketkeeper/batsman came to the crease at number seven on day one but shared the opening stance with Chanderpaul on Thursday. In both instances, he was privy to familiarise himself with the new ball.

“It happened in the first innings, the over after I came they took the new ball, so it was nice to face it up front and just get an opportunity to spend some time.”

Last year, Da Silva was part of the travelling team which was swept in a two-match Test series in Australia. He’s hoping for a better stint this time around.

“I’m just trying to use the experiences I got last year. Didn’t do too great last year so I just want to try to do better than I did and get some runs on the board. Once I’m doing well, hopefully the team (also) does well and everyone chips in.”

For this two-match Test series, which bowls off on January 17, maroon selectors announced an inexperienced 15-player squad, including seven uncapped players.

Strangely enough, Da Silva is one of the more experience players in the squad but said he still learns from the younger crop of cricketers.

“It’s nice just to be someone who they can ask some questions who’ve played Test cricket. I’m learning from them as well because everyone here has played first class cricket. I’m always learning on the job and it’s nice to lend my expertise as well,” he added.