DillionHAVING already lost the one-day series following two successive defeats to their South African counterparts in back-to-back games at Sabina Park on the weekend, the West Indies 'A' team go in search of a consolation win in the final game at Chedwin Park today.
Last Saturday, the West Indies 'A' team lost nine wickets for a mere 53 runs to plunge to an 83-run defeat to South Africa and although they gave a better display in the second one-day game, it could not prevent them from losing by four wickets.
West Indies 'A' captain Courtney Browne has looked the most accomplished batsman for the regional team so far, scoring 30 in both games. Marlon Samuels, who topscored in the second encounter with 31 has also looked good and both could prove to be the bedrock of the West Indies "A' innings as they try to save face.
The South African 'A' team have found Mervyn Dillon very difficult to get away. He along with pacer Marlon Black who replaced Colin Stuart in the second one-day troubled the visitors grabbing an impressive 4-17 off eight overs. Both are key bowlers for the home team and need to do well if the West Indies 'A' team are seriously harbouring thoughts of winning.
"We have not batted well. That is our main problem," lamented West Indies 'A' manager Joel Garner.
"I dont have a major problem with the bowlers. The batsman will have to play a lot better if we are to do well in the final game. I am hoping that the players can rise to the occasion with nothing to lose," added Garner.
Despite sitting pretty, South African 'A' team manager Hylton Ackerman said there will be no let up for the Caribbean men.
"We want to win the third one-day. We want to take the series 3-0 so we will not be relaxing," said Ackermam.
"The lead gives me an opportunity to play some members of the squad that have not played yet and I will be doing just that. We did not play well on Sunday although we won. If it was not for a very good innings from the 19-year-old Graham Smith and a mature innings from the captain anything could have happened. I definitely want to see some improvements in all departments of our game."
Squads:
West Indies A - Courtney Browne (captain), Azeemul Haniff, Devon Smith, Runako Morton, Sylvester Joseph, Ryan Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Dinanath Ramnarine, Colin Stuart, Kerry Jeremy, Marlon Black, Laurie Williams and Mervyn Dillon.
South African A - Dale Benkenstein (captain), Nic Pothas, Mark Bruyns, Doug Watson, Graham Smith, Justin Ontong, Ashwell Prince, Justin Kemp, Robin Petersin, Carl Langeveldt, Mfueneko Ngam, Charl Willoughby, Victor Mpitsam, Gerald Dros, Garnett Kruger and James Bryant.
By Fitzroy Prendergast
Staff Reporter
