Reifer takes five as Brathwaite's XI gains upper hand

Written by Leighton Levy. Posted in Windies. | 24 June 2020 | 4114 Views
Tags: Cricket, Brathwaite'S Xi, Holder'S Xi, Kyle Mayers, Marquino Mindley, Raymon Reifer, West Indies

Raymon Reifer’s five wickets in quick succession helped Brathwaite’s XI into a position of strength on day-two of their intra-squad match against Holder’s XI at the Emirates, Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Chasing 275 set by Brathwaite’s XI on Tuesday, Holder’s XI looked set to produce a strong reply with Sunil Ambris leading the way with 52. However, his dismissal with the score on 90 for 2, opened the door for Reifer to strike.

The fast-medium pacer ripped the heart from the Holder’s XI batting taking five wickets in just 11 balls to have his rivals tottering on 111 for 7. During that destructive spell, Reifer dismissed Nrkrumah Bonner for 5, (95-3), Joshua Da Silva for 0, (104 for 4), Jason Holder for 0, (104 for 5), Shayne Moseley for 40, (109 for 6) and Rahkeem Cornwall for 2, (111 for 7).

“I was trying to hit the top of off stump and create problems for the batsman. I’ve played here in England before on the last tour (2017). I didn’t play a Test match but I played a few warm-up matches so I learned a few things and used them to my advantage today,” said Reifer afterwards.

"The conditions here are helpful to the bowlers … someone with my pace who can get the ball to move around. It’s about working hard and putting yourself in the best position to perform for the team. It’s about putting in the performance and waiting for your opportunity.”

However, unlike Brathwaite’s XI that lost their last four wickets at 275 on Tuesday, there was a bit more fight from Holder’s side. Kyle Mayers (45) with help from Alzarri Joseph 10, and Kemar Roach 18, added some respectability to the score. Marquino Mindley took two of the last three wickets to return figures of 3 for 37, providing solid support to Reifer whose 5 for 60 did most of the damage.

With a lead of 82, Brathwaite’s XI started well in their second turn at strike. Brathwaite who got 84 in the first innings and John Campbell had an opening stand of 88 before Campbell was trapped lbw by Joseph for 49. Seven balls later and with no addition to the score, Brathwaite fell to Jomel Warrican for 35.

Holder’s XI struck a big blow six runs later when Joseph trapped Shai Hope leg before for 2 to leave Brathwaite’s XI in some bother at 94 for 3.

Sharmarh Brooks and Roston Chase were each on 4 at the close with their side boasting a 181-run lead heading into Thursday’s final day.

Joseph has figures of 2 for 17 while Warrican has 1 for 4.