West Indies: Clarke solid on first day

The first half of play in yesterday's trial match at Queen's Park was in keeping with the type of collapse that took place across the other side of the world a few hours earlier.

The second, however, reflected a more normal approach to cricket during which opening batsman Shirley Clarke sent a message to the Barbados selectors.

After a side captained by Adrian Griffith swiftly lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs, Clarke buckled down to compile a solid half-century that has enhanced his claim for a place in the national side for the 2001 Busta Cup.

His chanceless 79 was made in just over three-and-a-half hours of determined application and included eight fours and a six off 177 balls.

Clarke, who made his first-class debut for Barbados against South Africa "A" last August, was eventually caught at second slip off left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

His score was the only significant contribution in his team's total of 181 for six.

The next best effort was 27 from Shawn Graham, who was the second victim to teenage fast bowler Marlon Franklyn.

Fellow pacer Patterson Thompson, who took four wickets on Tuesday's opening day, also had a double-strike by bowling both Dale Richards and Dale Mason for 11 each.

Earlier, Griffith's XI, resuming on 68 for one in reply to Clarke team's first day score of 132, hardly showed any application.

One of the exceptions was the captain himself, who made 61 that contained five fours and a six from 91 balls.

Danger men

Of the rest, only opener Randy Thomas (18) and Adrian Brathwaite (12), got into double-figures.

The damage was caused mainly by left-arm spinner Anderson Sealy, with four for 28 from 17 overs and fast bowler Antonio Thomas, who took three for 26 off 10 overs.

The match, which was affected by the loss of the entire day's play on Wednesday because of wet conditions, finishes today.