Barbados to host 3rd Test

GUYANA’s loss is Barbados’ gain with the third cricket Test between West Indies and New Zealand now rescheduled for Kensington Oval at monthend.
The match was pulled from the National Stadium on Sunday after the failure of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Guyana government to reach a mutually agreement resolution to the controversial Cricket Administration Bill.
The Test match will be played over the same dates, from June 26 to 30 and the WICB?thanked the Barbados Cricket Association and the Government of Barbados for their commitment in ensuring that the match is successfully hosted following the rescheduling.
“The Test will be a bonus for cricket fans in Barbados who witnessed three enthralling Twenty20 Internationals between the West Indies and England in March this year,” the board said in a release yesterday.
Meanwhile, Chris Gayle has finally joined the West Indies’ training camp at the 3Ws Oval where he watched on from the pavilion steps as stroke-maker Marlon Samuels and veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul both struck form on the first day of the West Indies’ two-day practice match against a combined Barbados/CCC Select XI, yesterday. Gayle was present at the match venue but did not bat.
Samuels cracked an entertaining 115 while Chanderpaul got 56, as the Windies were dismissed for 272.
Samuels faced a mere 95 balls and counted 14 fours and five sixes, in just over two hours and 40 minutes at the crease.
Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who has been called up as cover for injury-worry Gayle, struck 46 with five fours and a six off 79 deliveries but watched as opening partner Kieran Powell (15), Kirk Edwards (4) and Darren Bravo (9) all failed. Left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge was the best bowler with four for 58.
The game ends today and the players leave for Jamaica tomorrow to continue preparations for the first Test starting at Sabina Park on Sunday. (EZS/CMC)