Chanderpaul, Hodge push Windies A to narrow lead

Half-centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge enabled West Indies A to gain a 27-run, first innings lead against South Africa A in the first Test.

Chanderpaul hit the top score of 78, and Hodge supported with 73 before the Caribbean side in the final hour on 314 for nine declared, replying to the South Africans’ first innings total of 287 for nine declared, on the second day of the four-day contest at Willowmoore Park.

The visitors failed to make any early inroads in the South Africa A batting, and the home team reached three without loss in the three overs possible before stumps were drawn, with Neil Brand, their captain, not out on three, and Toni de Zorzi not out on nought.

Earlier, West Indies A resumed on 46 without loss, and Chanderpaul and Hodge shared 110 for the third wicket after opener Zachary McCaskie and left-hander Kirk McKenzie fell inside the first hour.

Chanderpaul batted for almost 3-3/4 hours and smashed 12 fours from 150 balls, and Hodge occupied the crease for almost 3-1/2 hours and struck nine fours from 151 balls.

McCaskie made 31 before he played a loose drive and was caught in the covers of pacer Tshepo Moreki, and McKenzie was caught behind for a fourth-ball duck off the same bowler when he top-edge a half-hearted cut at a rising delivery.

The Caribbean side were 66 for two, and Hodge came to the crease carrying them to 129 for two at lunch with Chanderpaul, not out on 59, after he brought up his half-century from 92 balls with a “French cut” for his eighth boundary off pacer Mihlali Mpongwana.

Hodge reached his half-century when he cut a wide delivery from pacer Hardus Viljoen through square cover for his eighth four that also brought up the hundred-run mark in the partnership with Chanderpaul.

Two wickets in the space of 35 balls in the final hour before tea, Chanderpaul lbw to Viljoen, and fellow Guyanese Tevin Imlach caught at gully off the same bowler, set the visitors back, and they reached 213 for four at tea.

West Indies A chased brisk runs after tea and offered up a few cheap wickets, including Hodge who was caught behind off Mpongwana, in the second over of the final session.

The Caribbean side were 213 for 5, but Akeem Jordan cracked 40, Kevin Sinclair made 39, and their captain Joshua Da Silva added 20, and they put together a couple of tidy partnerships between them to take the Caribbean side into the lead and past 300 before the declaration came.