Hope maintains form against Sri Lankans

Barbadian batsman Shai Hope has so far hit 60 for Cricket West Indies President's XI against Sri Lanka on day one of their two-day practice match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in St John's, Antigua, yesterday.

The President's XI were 103 for one at stumps, replying to the Sri Lankans' first innings score of 172 all out, trailing by 69 runs.

Hope, who has so far faced 72 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, has shared in a 94-run second-wicket stand with Trinidadian Darren Bravo, who is not out on 30, with six fours.

The duo batted resolutely in the afternoon session after the President's XI had lost Barbadian opener Shayne Mosely, who was caught behind off pacer Suranga Lakmal for six.

The unbeaten knock from Hope was his seventh consecutive half-century score, following up on his three fifties away to Sri Lanka and then scores of 110, 84, and 64 in the one-day series which ended on Sunday.

Earlier, captain Roston Chase led the way with the ball for the hosts, as he bagged four for 12 from seven overs to restrict the visitors, who were asked to take the first strike.

The right-arm off-break bowler ripped through the Sri Lankan middle order, snapping up the wickets of Dinesh Chandimal for 40, Pathum Nissanka for 23, Dasun Shanaka for 13, and Lakmal for a duck.

Pacer Anderson Phillip also got in on the act, as he bagged three wickets, including that of the innings top-scorer Oshada Fernando for 47.

Phillip ended with 3 for 47 from nine overs, while Test pacer Kemar Roach took two for 41.

Assistant coach Sir Curtly Ambrose said he was delighted with how his bowlers carried out their duties on a good batting track.

"I am happy because everything that we spoke about, we put into play and it worked perfectly for us," Ambrose said. "We thought we starved them out and gave them nothing, and we bowled in good areas, which was very impressive."