Windies in command after Chase, Hope hundreds
DERBY, England (CMC) — Unbeaten hundreds by Roston Chase and Shai Hope, along with an incisive bowling effort spearheaded by Captain Jason Holder, put West Indies in command of their three-day match against English County Derbyshire here yesterday.
Playing on the second day of the day/night contest at Derbyshire County Ground, West Indies amassed 427 for three declared with Chase stroking 110 not out and Hope, 107 not out.
The hosts then crumbled for 181 all out as Holder sliced through the innings with three for 48, while Chase (2-5), Kemar Roach (2-31) and Shannon Gabriel (2-64) claimed two wickets each.
Calum Brodrick top-scored with 52 and Ben Slater got 39, but Derbyshire lost wickets steadily and never recovered.
In their second turn at the crease, West Indies motored to 60 for one with left-handed opener Kieran Powell unbeaten on 41.
Entering today’s final day, the Caribbean side leads by 306 runs and is in a great position to force a morale-boosting victory ahead of Thursday’s start of the opening Test against England.
Resuming the day on 340 for three, the Windies’ position was further strengthened by Chase and Hope, who extended their unbroken fourth-wicket partnership to 196.
Hope, resuming on 69, struck 16 fours and faced 218 deliveries, while Chase, unbeaten on 62 at the start, made an up -empo hundred with an innings requiring 113 balls and 18 fours.
Derbyshire then cruised to 78 for one after Slater and Thomas Wood (15) put on 53 for the second wicket.
However, six wickets tumbled for 37 runs to leave them struggling on 115 for seven.