Chanderpaul hits double-century

Taupo - A double-century from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and some less than convincing batting from New Zealand "A" highlighted the second day of the West Indies' three-day match yesterday.

Chanderpaul's innings was an essay in judgment and concentration. With 112 not out overnight, he rebuilt his innings from scratch on an overcast morning and was unbeatean on 216 at tea when the West Indies declared on 450 for five.

If the bowling was accurate, as it was more often than yesterday, Chanderpaul was unconcerned although he gave one chance when he was 138.

In all he hit 34 fours. There was also a six, swept over mid-wicket and he batted for 560 minutes and faced 391 balls.

Ricardo Powell resumed on 68 and continued to play his shots without looking nearly as convincing as on the first day.

Powell hit the third six of his innings into the stand at mid-wicket, almost hitting a spectator, a noteworthy feat in itself as there were no more than a dozen in the ground at that time.

The 20-year-old Powell was out trying to repeat the shot, being caught at mid-off for 86 having dominated a partnership of 130 with Chanderpaul.

Acting captain Jimmy Adams batted in a similar manner to Chanderpaul without the same freedom to punish the loose delivery. His 49 took 208 minutes.

There was a brief glimpse of the attacking proclivities of Ridley Jacobs before the declaration came.

In the post-tea session, New Zealand "A" struggled to 68 for four.

Matthew Bell will remember the first 35 minutes of the innings only in his nightmares. He ducked the third ball bowled by Courtney Walsh, taking his eye off it as he did so.

In the seventh over he called Gary Stead, his captain, opening partner and rival for a Test place, for a sharp single. Stead was well short as Walsh followed through with a direct hit.

Bell collected the bat which he had thrown across the field in frustration only to push Dillon into the hands of Hinds at short leg next over. Next time he comes to Taupo it will be for the fishing.

L. Vincent was out for a duck in the identical manner and New Zealand "A" were six for three wickets.

In his fourth over, off-spinner Nehemiah Perry turned one to find Richardson's outside edge and he was caught behind for 17.