Thirteen wickets made for an eventful opening day of the series in Dominica, and it was Australia who went to stumps in the slightly stronger position. Denesh Ramdin gave his men the chance to bat first but they survived only two sessions for their 148 before Australia played out the final session of the day and went to stumps on 85 for 3, trailing by 63 on a surface that had proven surprisingly challenging.
Steven Smith was Australia's rock during the home summer against India and again he appeared immovable, although he also found scoring difficult with variable bounce and a slow outfield. He ended the day on 17 from 67 deliveries and had not scored a boundary; debutant Adam Voges had struck four fours in his 20 from 27 balls, perhaps the positive result of nervous energy.
David Warner had fallen early for 8 when he was surprised by extra bounce from a Jerome Taylor delivery and a leading edge was taken at point. Shaun Marsh, promoted to open in the absence of Chris Rogers, edged to slip off Jason Holder for 19, and Michael Clarke edged Devendra Bishoo behind after scoring a bright 18 off 28 balls, including one six over midwicket.
OSEAU, Dominica – The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced today a 14-member West Indies squad for the first Test of the International Home Test Series against Australia, starting this Wednesday at Windsor Park here.
A responsible 100-run fifth wicket stand between Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich who both scored their second fifty in the game, rescued the President’s X1 from a precarious 41-4 on the third and final day of their practice match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua ended in a draw yesterday. Umpire Nigel Duguid admires Royston Chase as he punches one for four in Antigua yesterday. Umpire Nigel Duguid admires Royston Chase as he punches one for four in Antigua yesterday. Chase made 55 before he retired while Dowrich scored an unbeaten 53 as Josh Hazelwood put in a good showing on a flat North Sound track with 3-4 from four overs in an incisive opening burst. The home side were in deep trouble at 25-3 after Rajendra Chandrika, Skipper Leon Johnson and Sharmarh Brooks were all sent packing for ducks by Hazelwood.
Left-hander Marsh finished the day on 118 not out as Australia closed on 205 for six in their first innings.
Adam Voges struck 52 in a 116-run, third-wicket partnership with Marsh, which pulled the tourists out of difficulty at 25 for two.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the main destroyer with three for 69 while Brathwaite collected two for 28 from his 14 overs - including the scalp of captain Michael Clarke for 15.
West Indies and Windward Islands wicketkeeper-batsman Andre Fletcher has reportedly been arrested at the Douglas Charles airport in Dominica on possession of ammunition, Dominica News Online (DNO) reported on Thursday.
According to the news report Fletcher, 27, had been in Dominica practicing with the Windward Islands team and was leaving the country when he was arrested. DNO reported he would appear in court on Friday.
Lockhart Sebastian, the Windward Islands manager, said he was aware of the arrest, according to the report. "I will support him, I will not abandon him … that is the job of a manager," he was quoted as saying by DNO.
