Powell among the runs as Hamilton XI close in

Leeward Islands opening batsman Kieran Powell showed the West Indies selectors that he should also be in the mix when the first Test against South Africa bowls off next week.

The left-hander hit a fighting 95 for Jahmar Hamilton's 'B' Team against Jermaine Blackwood's 'A' team on the penultimate day of their four Day 'Best vs Best' intra-squad practice match in St Lucia yesterday.

Powell struck 11 fours and a six in his 175-ball knock, as Hamilton's XI closed day three on 218 for four, still needing 93 runs to win after Blackwood's XI crumbled for 224 earlier in the day.

The left-hander says the knock was an encouraging one.

"I have been wanting to get back into the West Indies team for some time now, and spending time and showing application at the crease, hopefully, there is some reward for that," Powell said.

He and Shayne Mosely, who made 36, added 63 runs for the first wicket while Barbadian Shamarh Brooks chipped in with 39.

Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner failed yet again with the bat, as he made one run to follow up his duck in the first innings. Bonner became the first wicket for Jamaican pacer Marquino Mindley, who returned to action after recovering from COVID-19.

Another Jamaican, Paul Palmer Jr, will resume today on 15 along with Raymon Reifer on 22.

Off-Spinner Rahkeem Cornwall has so far picked up two wickets for 61.

Earlier, it was another fast bowler who did the damage for Hamilton's XI, as Trinidadian Jayden Seales bagged four wickets for 40 runs to restrict Blackwood's XI to 224 after they had resumed the day on 197 for three.

The last seven wickets fell for just 27 runs as Seales accounted for overnight centurion Shai Hope for 106, while Preston McSween got the wicket of Blackwood for 24.

Jamaican opener John Campbell, who batted at number six because of an injury, made two runs before he was caught by Bonner off Chemar Holder.