Top order fires CA XI into innings lead

Cricket Australia XI 4 for 245 (Carder 58, Stevens 46) lead West Indians 243 (Bravo 51, Milenko 5-76) by two runs
Scorecard

Cricket Australia XI's top order all chipped in with handy knocks, helping the team secure the lead against West Indians on the second day of the tour match in Brisbane.

West Indians, who began the day precariously placed at 154 for 6, were led by Carlos Brathwaite's patient 47, but received little by way of support from the other players, as the team eventually folded for 243. Medium-pacer Simon Milenko was the pick of the hosts' bowlers, collecting 5 for 76, while James Bazley and Cameron Boyce shared two scalps apiece.

CA XI began their reply positively, as the openers Jordan Silk and Jake Carder shared a 68-run partnership. Carder was the more aggressive foil of the two, stroking 58 off 77 balls, but both batsmen fell in quick succession of each other. The hosts, though, did not lose any momentum, as Nick Stevens (46) and Josh Inglis (44) kept the runs flowing by stringing together an 86-run partnership. Once again, CA XI lost two quick wickets, but once again, the visitors failed to make the most of their breakthroughs, as Jimmy Peirson and Matthew Short put up an unbroken stand of 52 to grab the lead. CA XI were 4 for 245 when stumps were called, leading by two runs.