Rick Eyre - 27 February - 2 March 1999
CricInfo report
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West Indies Board President's XI v Australians Rick Eyre - 27 February - 2 March 1999 CricInfo report |
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Day 1
MACGILL SHOWS UP WARNE AS WI INJURIES MOUNT
All indications are that Australia will play two spinners in the First Test at Port-of-Spain next Friday. It may be just as well, as this will delay the embarrassing situation of having to choose between Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill for one spot in the Australian team. On current form it would have to be MacGill.
Australia dismissed the West Indian Board President's XI for 177 on the first day of their four day match at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, yesterday. It was MacGill who did the bulk of the damage, taking 6/46. Glenn Mcgrath took 3/33 while Warne could manage just 1/49.
Only Dave Joseph (64) and Lincoln Roberts (39) showed any respectability in a lineup that shows that the depth in West Indian cricket may not be as good as some people hope it to be. In reply, the Australians were 73 for 1, scoring at nearly five an over, before bad light ended play. Matthew Elliott was caught by a wicketkeeper with a name familiar to Australians, ie, Wayne Phillips, off the bowling of Nixon McLean. Elliott made 22. Michael Slater was on 35 at the close of play, while Justin Langer, fighting for his place in the First Test team, was 11.
On Monday the West Indian selectors have to name an eleven for Friday's Test. They will be doing so in the knowledge that four key players are not available. Shivanrine Chanderpaul and Franklyn Rose are carrying injuries, Courtney Walsh is understood to have flown to New York for treatment for a variety of injuries. Carl Hooper is in Australia with his wife and new-born son in Adelaide. His son is ill and Hooper is not willing to return to the Caribbean until he is recovered. Darren Ganga retired hurt during the Board innings yesterday with back spasms, although he returned to the crease later in the innings.