COLOMBO – Newly appointed vice-captain Brendan Nash stroked a confident half-century, but West Indies suffered an all too familiar batting collapse on the opening day of their three-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI yesterday.
Cruising at 110 for three at one stage, West Indies lost their last seven wickets for 66 runs on a two-paced strip at the Sinhalese Sports Club, to tumble to 176 all out.
Left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara (three for 37) and leg-spinner Malinga Bandara (three for 39) led the attack with three wickets apiece.
By the close, however, the Windies seam attack had struck a couple of incisive blows to reduce the hosts to 59 for three.
The left-handed Nash stroked an attacking 62 after the tourists won the toss and opted to bat, and lost quick wickets to be 29 for three inside the first hour.
Welegedara claimed openers Adrian Barath (21) and Chris Gayle (five) before Thushara bowled Darren Bravo for one.
Nash then repaired the innings in tandem with veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul, adding a crucial 81 for the fourth wicket.
The 32-year-old Australian-born Jamaican batsman stroked seven fours off 107 balls in nearly 2-1/2 hours at the crease, while Chanderpaul gathered 33 in typically obdurate fashion, hitting two fours in an innings spanning 83 balls and 119 minutes. (CMC)
