Despite scoring an unbeaten century for Team Blackwood on day two of the BestvBest match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Thursday, 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 onto 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 Wednesday, faced an additional 166 balls 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 Wednesday finished with 1-23 from overs. Rahkeem Cornwall went wicket-less on the day to return figures of 2-79 while Preston McSween took 1-51.

In reply, Team Braithwaite were 73-2 at stumps with Captain Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 34. 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. Shai Hope is not out on 0 at the other end.