Twenty-one wickets fell on a dramatic final day when Brathwaite’s XI resumed from 240-5 and was dismissed for 346 thanks to a 55-run ninth-wicket partnership between Rahkeem Cornwall and Preston McSween. Kavem Hodge failed to add to his overnight score of 59.
Cornwall hit nine fours and three sixes in his 63 while McSween struck five fours and a six that gave Brathwaite’s XI a 20-run first-innings lead.
In their second turn at bat, Chase’s XI could not have got off to a worse start losing their first three wickets with only 10 runs on the board.
John Campbell, who scored 129 in the first innings continued his good form with 55 and together with Chase put on 50 for the fourth-wicket. However, once Chase was dismissed for 19, the innings fell away and the team was all out for 113.
Veerasammy Permaul was the chief destroyer with 4-21. McSween took 2-25 and Cornwall 2-23.
Needing 93 to secure victory, Brathwaite’s XI got off to a steady start getting to 54 before they lost Kieran Powell for 29.
Thereafter, they made heavy weather of the chase losing their next six wickets for 33 runs as Raymon Reifer (2-15), Jermaine Blackwood (2-17) and Imran Khan (2-16) tore through the order.
It would come down to Cornwall to win the match with his fourth six of the match.
Scores in the match: Chase’s XI 326 (John Campbell 129, Roston Chase 75) and 113 (John Campbell 55). Brathwaite’s XI 346 (Brathwaite 95, Cornwall 63) and 95 for 5 (Kieran Powell 29, Paul Palmer 25).
SunThe match will be held on March 8-11 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) ahead of the two-Test matches which will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Several members of the West Indies Test team that beat Bangladesh in the recent series have been included among the players named while other recent Test squad players will be participating in the CGI Insurance ODI Series from March 10-14.
“The ‘Best v Best’ game is firstly part of our preparation for the Test series against Sri Lanka. It gives the players who performed well in the last West Indies Championship an opportunity to showcase their skills, playing against each other, which we expect to be very competitive and put forward a case for themselves. It is a chance to raise their stock and show what they can do,” said Chief Selector Roger Harper.
“The Test series win in Bangladesh was a real joy to watch. The results were brilliant, but it was the passion, the application and the determination, as well as the team spirit that were exactly what we wanted to see.
“It was most encouraging to see everyone pulling together and working hard for each other and enjoying each other’s success. I think the team performed much better than many people thought they were capable of doing. I am really looking forward to seeing the team move forward and build from here.”
Below are the squads for the Best v Best match.
SQUAD A: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Derval Green, Keon Harding, Shimron Hetmyer, Kavem Hodge, Paul Palmer jr, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Preston McSween and Jayden Seales.
SQUAD B: Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Imran Khan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Nial Smith, Jomel Warrican.
Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel have been rested for this match due to their workload management.
