BRIDGETOWN, CANA :
EXCEPT for the visitors getting a final stretch prior to the third Cable & Wireless Test later this week, little was accomplished by either side on the last day of the three-day, first-class cricket match between a West Indies Cricket Board XI and South Africa which ended in a draw yesterday.
When the two captains determined it was pointless to continue the match at Kensington Oval, the WICB XI were 84 for one in their second innings with opener Daren Ganga undefeated on 33 and captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul unbeaten on 20.
South Africa, paced by Herschelle Gibbs' half-century, had earlier declared their second innings at 143 for two, about 20 minutes before tea to set the WICB XI a daunting target of 228 for victory in 38 overs.
Ganga and his opening partner Leon Garrick took the opportunity of the relaxed atmosphere on the final day to give the West Indies selection panel a little evidence that they can be called upon if they are any vacancies at the top of the order.
Having shared an opening stand of 55, Garrick was caught at square leg, hooking at a short-ball from fast bowler Andre Nel for 28 leaving Ganga and Chanderpaul to carry on until play was called off.
South Africa, resuming from 29 without loss overnight, had reached 96 for one in their second innings at tea with opening batsman Gary Kirsten being the only casualty of the morning period for 26. He batted for nearly two hours, faced 85 balls and hit four fours.
Playing forward defensively to a delivery from left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed, he was caught by Garrick at slip to leave South Africa 60 for one on the stroke of the morning's drinks break.
Gibbs, carrying a rich vein of form on the tour, and Dippenaar, looking to offer another batting option to the South African selectors, batted for the remainder of the morning period.
Gibbs was the only wicket the South Africans lost in the period between lunch and tea.
SCOREBOARD
South Africa 1st Innings 270
WICB XI 1st innings 186
South Africa 2nd Innings
(overnight 29 without loss):
G.Kirsten c Garrick b Mohammed 26
H.Gibbs c Garrick b Mohammed 55
B.Dippenaar not out 38
N.McKenzie not out 15
Extras (b4, lb2, nb3) 9
TOTAL (2 wkts, 66 overs) 143
Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-109.
Bowling: King 15-3-36-0 (nb3); Cuffy 18-6-30-0; Stuart 11-0-29-0; Mohammed 16-5-35-2; Hinds 6-2-7-0.
WICB XI 2nd innings:
D.Ganga not out 33
L.Garrick c Kirsten b Nel 28
S.Chanderpaul not out 20
Extras (lb2, nb1) 3
Total (for one wicket, 34 overs) 84
Fall of wicket: 1-55
Bowling: Pollock 6-2-12-0; Nel 9-2-27-1 (1nb); Kemp 5-0-16-0; Adams 9-3-25-0; Klusener 4-4-0-0; Kirsten 1-0-2-0.
Result: Match drawn.
