Joseph’s 4, Gabriel’s 3 give Holder’s XI upper hand on Day 1

3-Day warm-up match

The West Indies battled each other in an inter-squad matchup that saw Holder’s XI battling Braithwaite’s X1 on day 1 of their three-day warmup match at the Old Trafford as they prepare for their first Test match against England on July 8.

Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, both England and West Indies were forced to play among themselves. At the spin of the toss, Holder’s XI won the toss and opted to bowl with the likes of Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and Rakheem Cornwall looking to prove a point. Nevertheless, the experienced Kraigg Braithwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase were eager to take to the crease. At the end of the 90 overs, Braithwaite’s XI were 275 all out with Hope and Braithwaite top-scoring with 85 and 84 runs respectively. Bowling for Holder’s XI were Gabriel with 3 wickets, Alzarri Joseph 4, while Roach, Cornwall and Preston McSween bagged one a piece.

Taking to the crease were openers Braithwaite and Campbell to see off the new ball. But Campbell was no match for Gabriel, who had him dismissed for a golden duck. Gabriel then returned to wreak havoc as he removed Shamarh Brooks for 17. From there, Braithwaite and Hope built a partnership that caused some frustration. They were able take the score from 54-2 to 172-3 when Roach made the breakthrough capturing the prized wicket of Braithwaite for a well-played 84. Roston Chase then joined Hope at the crease; he managed to last some 61 balls while scoring 37 as he gave McSween his first wicket to take the score to 224-4.

Hope then continued to rally on as he moved into the 80s looking to rack up a century. But three wickets fell in quick succession, the wickets were Hope (85) bowled by Joseph, Jomel Warrican (1) bowled by Cornwall and Raymond Reifer (18) by Joseph to take the score to 275-8. In the end, Joseph returned to bag the wickets of Chemar Holder and Anderson Phillip to bring an end to Braithwaite’s XI.