King, McCaskie narrowly miss centuries
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — West Indies white-ball star Brandon King and rookie opener Zachary McCaskie agonisingly missed out on hundreds as Team Weekes dominated the opening day of the second match of the Headley Weekes Tri-Series here Wednesday.
In addition to King’s 92 and McKaskie’s 93, Jahmar Hamilton (57) and Kevin Sinclair (52 not out) weighed in with half-centuries to help propel their side to an already imposing 365 for seven against West Indies Academy at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
Fast bowler McKenny Clarke was especially impressive, the 19-year-old claiming three for 89, including two wickets in the first session which caused a temporary wobble.
King, who has played 22 One-Day Internationals and 35 T20 Internationals but is featuring in his first first-class match in nearly a year, brought his natural attacking flair with 11 fours and two sixes off 148 balls in nearly 2-¾ hours.
“I am very happy to be playing red-ball cricket [again]. It’s been a little while,” said the 28-year-old who has played 32 first class matches.
“It was great fun batting out there. It was an opportunity to not have any time restrictions and just be out there and enjoy it. It was fun up until the point I got out.”
It was McCaskie who did the initial heavy lifting for his side after they were asked to bat, putting on 55 for the first wicket with Test left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul (25) and then combining with King in a decisive 136-run fourth wicket partnership.
The 26-year-old McCaskie, in only his sixth first class outing, counted 13 fours and a six in an innings lasting 147 balls in nearly 3-¼ hours.