Rain denies West Indies match practice

West Indians 278 and 168 for 3 (Sarwan 71*) drew with Boland 251 (Strydom 74, Sanford 5-53)
Scorecard

The West Indians' tour match against Border at East London ended in a drizzly draw after persistent rain, and a saturated outfield meant there was no play for the second consecutive day.

It spoiled an interestingly poised match with the West Indians leading by 195 runs in their second innings. However, rain had the final say and Brian Lara and his team will now prepare for the Boxing Day Test at Durban.

Day 2 Bulletin
Adam Sanford did his chances of a Test recall no harm after he took 5 for 58 to give the West Indians the advantage in their tour match against Border. After Border were dismissed for 251, a half-century from Ramnaresh Sarwan guided the West Indians to 168 for 3 at the close of the second day.

Resuming on 68 for 2, Border made a quiet start before they lost three wickets for three runs as Sanford cut through their middle order. He trapped Steven Pope lbw for 28 and then dismissed Justin Kreusch and Laden Gamiet in the space of three balls.

Piet Stydom and Abongile Sodumo steadied the innings with a stand of 81 before Strydom, who top-scored with 74, was one of Dave Mohammed victims. Mohammed, the wrist-spinner and late call-up to the squad, also impressed with 3 for 89 as the last four wickets fell in only six overs.

Vasbert Drakes also grabbed a couple. He had both Burton de Wett and Abongile Sodumo caught as West Indies gained a first-innings lead of 27 runs.

When the West Indians batted again Sarwan led the reply with 71 not out, batting for three-and-a-half hours. He started briskly, reaching his fifty from 55 balls, but thereafter chose to consolidate, the next 21 runs coming off 63 balls.

But Wavell Hinds' continuing poor form was a worry, managing 1 from 24 balls before he prodded at Tyron Henderson and was caught behind.