Griqualand West v West Indies

Hard work for West Indies

Kimberley, South Africa, Nov 14 (AFP) - The West Indies' fast bowlers toiled on a lifeless pitch in searing heat Saturday as Griqualand West reached 8 3 for one by lunch on the first day of the opening first class match of the West Indian tour at the De Beers Diamond Oval here.

Mickey Arthur, standing in as captain of Griquas after a knee injury kept Kepler Wessels out of action, put on 41 with Martyn Gidley before he missed a slow full toss from Courtney Walsh and was bowled for 18. The left-handed Gidley was joined by Pieter Barnard in an unbroken second wicket stand of 42. Barnard was dropped by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs off the offspinner Carl Hooper on 13. He was on 25 at the interval while Gidley was unbeaten on 28.

After starting with a long hop which was pulled for four by Arthur, Walsh bowled steadily in a spell of nine overs which yielded one for 24. Fellow fast bowler Franklyn Rose struggled to find his rhythm and conceded 33 runs in eight overs with six no-balls and a wide.

The tourists opted for a side loaded with seven front-line batsmen to enable them to find form before the first Test, which starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on November 26.

Day 2: Lara hits century for West Indies

KIMBERLEY, South Africa, Nov 15 (AFP) - Brian Lara hit an impressive century to put the West Indies on top on the second day of their four-day match against Griqualand West here on Sunday.

The West Indian captain, who holds the world records for the highest scores in Test and first class cricket, made 101 as the tourists reached 327 for six wickets at close of play in reply to Griqualand West's 271 all out. Lara's 36th career first class century was posted off 126 balls with 16 fours and two sixes.

The little left-hander played some sparkling strokes and hit 23 off one over from young medium-pacer Andre Botha, with four fours, a six and a single. Lara had a good duel with former Test offspinner Pat Symcox, who was the most impressive of the Griquas bowlers, but it was another offspinner, Martyn Gidley, who claimed his wicket. Tied down after reaching his century, Lara drove Gidley hard to cover.

His innings lasted a total of 140 balls. Fellow left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul made 42 and helped Lara add 107 for the third wicket. The only other notable partnership was 86 for the sixth wicket between 19-year-old newcomer Darren Ganga and vice-captain Carl Hooper. Hooper batted fluently, reaching his 50 off 63 balls while Ganga made a slow, watchful half-century off 137 deliveries, only to be bowled by Symcox next ball. Hooper was unbeaten on 64 at the close of play.

Symcox, 38, who is trying to win back his place in the South African Test team, managed to keep Lara in check, frustrating the West Indian star with a legside line, and claimed the wickets of Philo Wallace and Ganga. For the most part he bowled economically, although sixes by Lara, Hooper, Ganga and Ridley Jacobs spoiled his figures. He ended the day with two for 80 off 28 overs.

Day 3: Rebels Hooper, Lara star as West Indies eye victory

KIMBERLEY, South Africa, Nov 16 (AFP) - Carl Hooper and his skipper Brian Lara, reinstated earlier this month after being sacked following a players' revolt over pay, both scored centuries as the West Indies headed for victory against Griqualand West here Monday.

The South African side ended the third at 23 for five in their second innings, 73 runs short of avoiding an innings defeat. Hooper hit 109 as the West Indians reached 466. Lara made 101 Sunday. The West Indies had to make do without Courtney Walsh in the second innings after the veteran fast bowler sprained his left ankle Saturday. Team officials said however his injury was minor.

Curtly Ambrose, the other veteran in the West Indies attack, was also out of action, recovering after having a toe nail removed Saturday. He bowled in the nets Monday and is expected to play in his first match of the tour against champion province Free State in a four-day game starting in Bloemfontein Friday. Despite that the tourists soon had Griqualand in trouble, with only skipper Mickey Arthur (46) and Pieter Barnard, unbeaten on 42, looking confident.

Their stand was cut short when Barnard failed to respond to Arthur's call and Arthur was run out by cover fielder Stuart Williams. Earlier Hooper reached his century off 166 balls. His chanceless innings ended when he hooked left-arm seam bowler Adri Swanepoel to fine leg. He hit 11 fours and a six. Both Lara and Hooper were reinstated by the West Indian board after the rest of the team refused to leave for South Africa without them following a row between board and players over tour fees. The affair led to the tour being delayed before a compromise was reached.

Day 4: West Indies held to surprise draw

KIMBERLEY, South Africa, Nov 17 (AFP) - The West Indies had to settle for a draw in the opening first class match of their South African tour Tuesday as Finley Brooker and Wendell Bossenger led a defiant display by Griqualand West.

Brooker, 24, the captain of the Griqualand B team, took full advantage of his chance to play in the senior side by hitting 111, his maiden first class century, as the hosts piled up 435 for nine in their second innings.

They had started the fourth and final day on 123 for five, still needing 72 to avoid an innings defeat. Promising wicketkeeper Bossenger, 22, made 102, his second first class hundred.

Brooker, a product of South African cricket's development programme, and Bossenger broke a 108-year-old Griqualand West record by putting on 148 for the eighth wicket.

Former South African Test player Pat Symcox slammed a half-century off 22 balls on a disappointing day for the tourists. Griqualand West finished last in the nine-team South African domestic first class competition last season and were without star batsman and captain Kepler Wessels, who missed the match with a knee injury.