Despite scoring an unbeaten century for Team Blackwood
in the Cricket West Indies Best vs. Best practice match
against Team Brathwaite played at the Coolidge Cricket
Ground in Antigua on October 28, Nkrumah Bonner said
spending time at the crease was more important to him as he
prepares for the West Indies’ upcoming tour to Sri Lanka later
this year.
Bonner, resuming on his overnight score of 90 went on to score
166 not out as Team Blackwood, resuming from 234-4, declared
at 384-6. The 32-year-old Jamaican, who had faced 200 balls on
the first day of the match faced an additional 166 balls on
the second day, during which struck an additional 10 fours.
During his marathon stay at the crease, Bonner found a useful
partner in Raymon Reifer as the pair put on 134 for the fifth
wicket before the latter was run out for 72. Jahmar Hamilton
was dismissed by Jayden Seales next over but Bonner and Alzarri
Joseph (5 not out) added another 31 runs before the declaration
came.
“It was difficult at the start but as I batted it got easier. Obviously,
it is similar conditions to what I am going to get in Sri Lanka,” said
Bonner after his eight-and-a-half hour stay at the crease.
“Over the last few weeks it has been all nets and obviously I
wanted to put all your skills into practice. To play a game was
brilliant for me. The score was irrelevant for me. Time at the
crease was one of my main goals and I got that so I am proud
right now.”
Seales, who had bowled 11 overs for 11 runs on the first day
finished with 1-23 from 17 overs. Rahkeem Cornwall had figures
of 2-79 while Preston McSween took 1-51.
.“Over the last few weeks it has been all nets and obviously I
wanted to put all your skills into practice. To play a game was
brilliant for me. The score was irrelevant for me. Time at the
crease was one of my main goals and I got that so I am proud
right now.”
Seales, who had bowled 11 overs for 11 runs on Wednesday
finished with 1-23 from overs. Rahkeem Cornwall went wicketless
on the day to return figures of 2-79 while Preston McSween
took 1-51.
Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 was the
backbone of Team Brathwaite’s 281-4 in
replay when stumps were drawn at the
close of Day 3. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite
who had been unbeaten on 34 at close of
play on the second day eventually retired
hurt on 78. He and Shamarh Brooks
stitched together a partnership of 69 for
the second wicket after Kemar Roach had
dismissed Jeremy Solozano for 2 in the first
over of the innings. Imran Khan eventually
broke the partnership when he had Brooks
caught by Jermaine Blackwood for 34
shortly before stumps on the second day.
Kyle Mayers’ 36 was the only other
contribution of note in Team Brathwaite’s
innings. Imran Khan 2/89-33 was Team
Blackwood’s most outstanding bowler.