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Bangladesh storm into Super Eight

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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Mashrafe Mortaza did the early damage with the ball © AFP

It was a delayed, stop-start affair that was reduced to 21 overs-a-side but will go down as one of the biggest moments in Bangladesh’s sporting history, a sweet seven-wicket triumph that surged them into the second stage of the World Cup. Their comfortable victory meant that India were well and truly ousted from the competition, leaving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to carry forward the Asian hopes from here on.It was a wet, gloomy affair at the Queen’s Park Oval but one that ended in a wave of Bangladeshi elation. They kept Bermuda down to 94, largely owing to Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzak, and then got home by seven wickets in conditions where the ball was moving around prodigiously. Chasing a meagre 96, Bangladesh were shaky at 37 for 3 but Mohammad Ashraful and Saqibul Hasan stitched together a 59-run stand to seal the issue.Defending a Duckworth-Lewis revised target of 96, Bermuda needed something special from their bowlers, and Kevin Hurdle delivered it, though not with his extra-ridden opening overs. Saleem Mukuddem, recalled into the XI, struck with his first ball as Tamim Iqbal shimmied down the track and top-edged over point. Hurdle sprinted over from third man, ran towards deep point, dove and pulled off a stunner with both hands.Hurdle couldn’t transform that effort into a good bowling display; three no-balls and a six followed in his second over. At the other end, a spirited Mukuddem hustled in and got the ball to move both ways off the scrambled seam and forced the wicketkeeper to stand up to the stumps. Aftab Ahmed drove perilously close to a diving mid-off and inside-edged on more than one occasion before he played all around an incutter that struck him in front of off stump. Mukuddem was rewarded for his consistent movement off a great length with a third wicket when he forced a shaky Shahriar Nafees to edge to second slip in the last over of the Powerplays.Perhaps unsure of how to approach their run chase, Saqibul and Ashraful survived leg before shouts, balls whizzing over the top of the stumps, and dropped catches. Fortunately for their side, they held their nerves. The yells and whoops from their team-mates on the balcony was one for the photo album.

Bangladesh were on a roll in the field, restricting Bermuda to 94 © AFP

Blue tarps and yellow tarp were both used by the groundstaff in a game that started roughly two-and-a-half-hours late due to rain and was held up four times, but Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first was justified. Mortaza wasted little time with the new ball under overcast conditions – Steven Outerbridge went for an injudicious pull in the first over but only found Mohammad Rafique at fine leg. After just three overs, however, the players and umpires were forced back into the hut as a massive rain shower lashed across the Queen’s Park Oval.The rain relented somewhat, the match was brought down to 35 overs, the groundstaff did a commendable job, and Mortaza needed just one delivery to take his second wicket. Syed Rasel wasn’t about to be left out, and picked up David Hemp with some help from Aftab Ahmed at backward point. But that the good old rain refused to go away for long and for the second time the players and umpires went inside with Bermuda on 17 for three after 7.4 overs.On resumption, Bashar introduced spin in the form of Razzak. The ball had to be wiped every few seconds, and the lack of turn did Bermuda, even in slippery conditions, created doubt in the batsmen’s’ minds. Captain Irvine Romaine adopted a stand-and-defend-or-swish approach, which worked for two thumped boundaries down the ground off Razzak, but when the bowler fired in one at 100kmhs, Romaine was a dead duck in front of middle stump.A fourth interruption curtailed the game to 21 overs, forcing Bermuda to go for broke. Dean Minors was let off at deep square leg off Saqibul’s slow left-arm spin, but two balls later Pitcher was smartly taken by Bashar, who ran backwards at sweeper cover and took the catch as he tumbled over. Lionel Cann took two fours and a six off three Aftab deliveries, was stumped off Saqibul, Rafique removed Tucker, Minors hit a big six in his 25-ball 23, and Bermuda set Bangladesh a Duckworth-Lewis revised 96 to get at just over four-and-a-half runs an over. Many in India would have stayed up late to hope Bermuda pull this one off, but would have to go to sleep disappointed.

Nel still upbeat but Hayden smells victory

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Andre Nel: ‘I was catching sweet all week, I dropped Ricky again but luckily this time is cost us 15 runs’ © Getty Images

Andre Nel, the pick of South Africa’s bowlers on the second day at Cape Town, is upbeat about their prospects in the first Test. “If we can get 200 runs ahead, we are well in the game. If we bowl as well as we bowled today we have a real chance.”Nel beat the bat and caused problems for all the batsmen without much luck – he only took 2 for 45. But he knows how important his role will be defending any target. “Pace will be more difficult than spin – it is a two-paced wicket, some stop, some go through. Then again, maybe Nicky Boje can play a big part.”His disappointment at losing three wickets before the close was clear, as was his reaction to the crowd: “Our crowd are quite quiet in comparison to the Australian crowd – I miss the Australian crowd, I need them to fire me up.” But he was pleased that his dropped catch – Ricky Ponting on 61 – didn’t cost the team dear: “I was catching sweet all week, I dropped Ricky again but luckily this time is cost us 15 runs, not 100.” Nel dropped Ponting at Melbourne, when South Africa toured Australia, and he went on to score 117.Matthew Hayden was disappointed to miss out on his 26th Test century after doing a lot of hard work in tough conditions. “It is frustrating but I rode my luck as well over the course of the day, I was solid but it was the conditions we faced.”We would have liked some more runs, but it is a hard wicket to start on for batsmen and, while we are disappointed, we have a 100-run lead and with three wickets down we are looking at a pretty solid position.””There is a lot of sideways movement. This morning was as hard batting as we’ve had in Test cricket for a while. All the seamers had a good day, they offered that lateral movement – unless you were looking to play defensive shots you felt vulnerable.”He added that he was surprised by the quality of the wicket and thinks it leaves Australia in a good position for to push for victory. “I thought it would quicken up and there’d be less movement, but as the day went on it still offered seam movement. I’d suggest those conditions will remain through the course of this match. We have an important three wickets.”On this track we don’t want to chase 300, that’s for certain, we are off to a good start, we bowled in some good areas tonight and if it is anything like today, tomorrow morning will offer some challenges for their batting.”With no longer being part of the Australian one-day set-up, Hayden is delighted with his return to the international scene. “I have had two months where I haven’t played at this level and straight away I am really enjoying the opportunity and experience. The partnership today was a beauty. I have been playing a lot of four-day cricket so that is an advantage to prepare that way.”

The tale of a giant

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A star is born in the 1992 World Cup© Getty Images


Inzamam’s back-to-the-wall 201 not out for United Bank Limited in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy on a greentop pushed him into the limelight. Haroon Rashid, the former Pakistan batsman and coach, considers it the best innings he has ever seen.
Inzamam had to contend with a fiery line-up of Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop, Malcolm Marshall and Patrick Patterson on his international debut at Lahore. He managed 20 before being bowled by Marshall. The game turned out to be a thriller and ended in a tie.
His rollicking 48 against South Africa ended when Jonty Rhodes defied all laws of gravity to run him out, but Inzamam made sure that he finished the World Cup with a mighty bang. His volcanic 60 at Auckland remains one of the great knocks in ODIs, as he and Javed Miandad surmounted a run-rate of over 8 per over. Later, his thrilling 42 in the final proved crucial in Pakistan’s dream triumph.
Not much batting for Inzamam in a high-scoring draw against England at Edgbaston.
Another high-scoring draw at Antigua but Inzamam managed to notch up his maiden Test century against West Indies, despite having to shepherd the tail for much of his innings.
Inzy played his part in a run-fest against New Zealand at Wellington, where Saeed Anwar and Saleem Malik also produced hundreds. Wasim Akram finished the job with a cracking seven-wicket haul and Pakistan claimed the series 2-0.
Not many nails were left at the end of this one as Inzamam and Mushtaq Ahmed engineered a minor miracle against Australia at Karachi. From 258 for 9, Pakistan managed to surmount the target of 315 and go one-up in the series. Ian Healy missed a stumping when three runs were needed and Pakistan prevailed in one of the closest finishes of all.

On his way to a mammoth 329 against New Zealand at Lahore© Getty Images

On the opening day of a series against England at Lord’s, Inzamam walked in at 12 for 2 and revived the innings before stamping his authority with a magnificent 148. He tightened the noose in the second innings with 76 more and Pakistan wrapped it up by a 164-run margin.
Inzamam’s first Test double-hundred came in the final of the Asian Test Championship against Sri Lanka. Ijaz Ahmed joined in the run-glut and Pakistan sailed to the title.
Inzamam’s only century against Australia came in a losing cause but it was made with the Hobart Test very much in the balance. Australia had managed only a slender lead and he consolidated Pakistan’s position with a controlled 118. It almost turned into a series-levelling knock until Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist began their daylight robbery.
This was another series in the balance with Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Matthew Hoggard swinging it on the first morning. Enter Inzy who responded with a rattling 114. A tenacious 85 in the second innings set the game up, as Saqlain Mushtaq and friends took eight wickets in the final session to seal the series-levelling win.
The biggie. For nearly two days, New Zealand had no respite in the searing heat and were clobbered to all corners of the Gaddafi Stadium. Inzamam’s 329 was the second-highest score by a Pakistan batsman, behind Hanif Mohammad’s 337, and the tenth-highest score in Test history.
Nineteen runs in six innings is all that Inzy could manage in Pakistan’s shambolic World Cup performance. Was one of the many who was dropped in the aftermath.

Magic at Karachi© Getty Images

This was the match where Inzamam ensured against a humiliating result. Chasing 261 in the final Test at Multan, Pakistan were 205 for 8 and in danger of giving Bangladesh their first Test win. Inzamam would have none of it, however, and with sizeable help from Nos. 10 and 11, inched them past the line.
Just three matches after his comeback, Inzamam found himself in the hot seat. It turned into a tense Test and Pakistan required his calm presence on the final day to earn a nervy draw.
In a coruscating display of mind-blowing strokeplay, Inzamam nearly made the impossible happen against India. No team had successfully chased down 350 in an ODI but his 122 off 102 balls was like a divine bolt that landed in Karachi. Pakistan fell just short but it was undoubtedly the innings of the series, maybe even the best of his career.
He became only the second player, after Sachin Tendulkar, to pass 10000 runs in one-day cricket during Pakistan’s victory over India in the Champions Trophy last year.

Tasmanian Pura Cup team announced

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The Tasmanian selectors have today named the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers team to play Queensland in the Pura Cup match to be played at Bellerive Oval on Wednesday 21st – Saturday 24th January 2004.CASCADE TASMANIAN TIGERSDaniel MARSH (Captain)
Shane WATSON (Vice-Captain)
Jamie COX
Michael DiVENUTO
Michael DIGHTON
Gerard DENTON
Sean CLINGELEFFER
Xavier DOHERTY
Scott MASON
Adam GRIFFITH
Andrew DOWNTON
Damien WRIGHT
The 12th man will be named on the morning of the match.Michael DiVenuto returns to the team after missing the last game because of a broken finger. He replaces Shannon Tubb, who has been omitted.Tasmania will train at Bellerive Oval at 3pm on Monday 19th and 9.30am on Tuesday 20th, while Queensland will train at 4pm Monday and 10am on Tuesday.

Australia enforce follow-on despite White heroics

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A battling, unbeaten innings of 85 from Craig White could not prevent England from being asked to follow on in the fourth Ashes Test at Melbourne. White’s innings salvaged a measure of pride for England after the tourists had been reduced to 118 for six in reply to Australia’s 551. England were eventually bowled out for 270, and an unbeaten 55 from Michael Vaughan took them to 111 for two in their second innings, still 170 behind.England, 97 for three overnight, were soon in dire straits. Nightwatchman Richard Dawson departed in the fourth over of the day, edging a turning delivery from Stuart MacGill to Martin Love at slip. Robert Key fell six balls later, lbw to an inswinging Brett Lee yorker.Nasser Hussain was MacGill’s second victim, brilliantly caught by a diving Matthew Hayden at short leg. The England captain got an inside edge on to his pad as he tried to sweep, and the ball ballooned up off his forearm.White then joined John Crawley to forge a 54-run partnership that initiated England’s fightback. It ended when Jason Gillespie was brought back, inducing a skyer from Crawley as he tried to pull. Justin Langer ran in from mid-on to take the catch.James Foster joined White, and another 55 runs were added in 23 overs before the next wicket fell. Steve Waugh eventually brought himself on, and ended Foster’s valiant effort by trapping the Essex wicket-keeper lbw for 19. Andrew Caddick and Steve Harmison were both dismissed by Gillespie with the new ball.Gillespie ended with four for 25, and White was left unbeaten after hitting MacGill for three sixes and scoring nine other boundaries in a stay of more than three hours.Sent in again by Waugh, Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick continued to attack before an umpiring howler by Russell Tiffin triggered Trescothick, adjudged lbw to a ball which hit him outside the line. Mark Butcher also fell before the close, playing firm-footed at Gillespie and edging to Love at slip.Vaughan and Hussain saw out the nine overs remaining, as Vaughan took his tally of Test runs scored this year to 1,397, overtaking Dennis Amiss’s England record.

Rain dampens youngsters' spirits

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Kerala and Tamil Nadu picked up three points each in their South ZoneUnder-14 Tournament match at the Municipal Stadium, Tellicherry onFriday after the third day was washed off without a ball being bowled.Kerala, batting first, fizzled out for 144 in 87.5 overs. RI HariKumar top scored with 40 and RN Suraj chipped in with a patient 34.Guru Kedarnath bagged four wickets for 30 runs.In reply, Tamil Nadu openers did well to put up an unbeatenpartnership of 56 runs off 17.1 overs before play was interupted byrain. H Gopinath (32) and K Srikkanth (17) were at the crease at closeof play. The match was affected by the wet conditions and the postlunch session was called off on the second day due to wet conditions.The match thus ended in a tame draw.

Wolves’ Saiss attracting transfer interest

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Wolves defender Romain Saiss is reportedly attracting interest from other clubs across Europe with the Moroccan still yet to sign a new contract ahead of the expiration of his current deal this summer.

What’s the story?

According to reliable French outlet L’Equipe, the likes of Real Betis, Villarreal, Wolfsburg, Marseille, Lyon, Rennes and Strasbourg are all interested in signing the 32-year-old this summer as a free agent.

Saiss is believed to have been offered a contract extension by the Wolves hierarchy, however, the centre-back is yet to put pen to paper.

The Morocco international joined the West Midlands outfit in 2016, whilst they were a Championship side, from French club Angers and a move away would see the end of six years of service for the Golden Boys.

Wolves must hold onto Saiss

With star midfielder Ruben Neves heavily linked with a departure this summer, Wolves must also ensure that they keep Saiss at Molineux beyond this campaign.

The defender has been a kingpin since joining the club, initially as a defensive midfielder, and has experienced Wolves’ rise through the ranks over the past couple of seasons.

From playing a vital part in their promotion to reaching an FA Cup semi-final as well as making it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the centre-back has been an excellent servant.

Moreover, this season has been no different, with the 32-year-old slotting into the plans of new manager Bruno Lage excellently.

Under the Portuguese coach, the Black Country outfit have been one of the Premier League’s most solid defences, conceding just 26 goals in 30 matches. Only Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have let in fewer.

Of course, fellow regulars Conor Coady and Max Kilman have contributed massively to that feat as well.

Furthermore, the Moroccan received praise from a Match of the Day panel earlier this season after scoring against Brighton, with pundit Danny Murphy saying: “The system really suits him, playing in a three when you’re a good ball-playing defender. It gives you the space and time. He nearly got a second with a great technical strike. He’s been a tower of strength for them.”

If the 32-year-old is to leave, Lage will have to make a decision as to whether or not to hand 23-year-old Toti Gomes more regular game time in the first-team after the Portuguese defender filled in impressively for Saiss whilst he played at the African Cup on Nations with Morocco.

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If not, then Fosun will surely have to provide the funds to purchase a suitable replacement to slot in alongside Coady and Kilman.

Nonetheless, Wolves must attempt to keep the £8.1m-rated Moroccan at Molineux beyond this season for the remainder of the campaign. But, if the 32-year-old is to depart this summer as a free agent, then he’s been an excellent servant.

In other news: Lage can find Wolves’ next Traore in rarely-seen teen who does “things out of nothing”

Top players to feature in Pentangular Cup

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Pakistan’s biggest stars will be on show during the forthcoming Pentangular Cup © AFP
 

The cream of the country’s talent will take part in the Pentangular Cup, due to begin in cities around Pakistan, from February 10. For the first time in its 34-year-old history, only provincial teams will be competing for the prize, which includes Pakistan’s four provinces as well as a team representing the Federal Areas.Unusually for a domestic competition, the country’s top players are taking part, a result of the board’s policy to make it a tournament of the top 75 performers from the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. Additionally, 25 of the most promising young players from around the country have been called up to the squads.Shoaib Malik, Pakistan’s captain, will lead Punjab, Shahid Afridi is Sindh’s captain, while Younis Khan leads the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Shoaib Akhtar, who is playing in a bid to prove his fitness before Australia tour Pakistan, will lead the Federal Areas, which includes players from Islamabad and surrounding regions. Balochistan, historically Pakistan’s weakest cricket province, will include guest players from around the country in a bid to strengthen the side and will be led by Naseem Khan.The tournament has undergone a number of format changes, often including departments and not always restricted to – as the name suggests – five teams. This year’s tournament, however, is a return to how the tournament was originally intended and is among the most financially rewarding: not only do the winners claim a Rs 1 million prize (approx US$16,000), each member of the playing XI will be paid Rs 25,000 (approx US$400) per match. Non-playing members of the squad will get Rs 10,000 (approx US$160). The tournament will also be televised on a local sports channel.There will be a short break after the first round of matches as general elections will be held in the country on February 18, but the four-day matches resume from February 22. The tournament, which kicks off with Sindh taking on NWFP in Karachi and Punjab playing the Federal Areas in Lahore, will be played on a single-league basis.Squads
Punjab: Shoaib Malik (capt), Mohammad Yousuf, Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq (vice-capt), Kamran Akmal (wk), Naved Latif, Adnan Raza, Ammar Mahmood, Junaid Zia, Wahab Riaz, Waqas Ahmad, Mansoor Amjad, Mohammad Khalil, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Salman (wk), Aizaz Cheema, Kashif Raza, Nasir Jamshed, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Asif (will be included in the team after a fitness test).Sindh: Khalid Latif, Khurram Manzoor, Shadab Kabir, Shahid Afridi (capt), Naumanullah, Hasan Raza, Faisal Iqbal (vice-capt), Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Rizwan Ahmad, Sohail Khan, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Sami, Faisal Athar, Danish Kaneria, Sarfraz Ahmad (wk), Hanif Malik (wk), Tahir Khan, Uzair-ul-Haq, Asif Zakir.Federal Areas: Shoaib Akhtar (capt), Rao Iftikhar (vice-capt), Yasir Arafat, Sohail Tanvir, Rauf Akbar, Naeem Anjum (wk), Afaq Raheem, Raheel Majeed, Naveed Qureshi, Usman Saeed, Bazid Khan, Shahzad Azam Rana, Omair Khan, Atif Maqbool, Fayyaz Ahmad, Bilal Asad, Asher Zaidi, Babar Naeem, Yasir Ali, Asadullah Sumeri.Balochistan: Usman Tariq, Imran Nazir, Saeed Anwar jnr, Shoaib Khan, Naseem Khan (capt), Sohaib Maqsood, Rameez Alam, Bilal Khiljee, Saeed Bin Nasir, Jalat Khan, Abdur Rauf (vice-capt), Kamran Hussain, Azharullah, Tanvir Ahmad, Mohammad Irshad, Imranullah Aslam, Gulraiz Sadaf (wk), Nazar Hussain, Faisal Irfan, Yasir Arafat (jnr).NWFP: Younis Khan (capt), Yasir Hameed (vice-capt), Riffatullah Mohmmand, Wajid Ali, Aftab Ahmad Khan, Wajahatullah Wasti, Riaz Kail, Asad Shafiq, Zulfiqar Jan (wk), Aslam Qureshi, Yasir Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel-ur-Rehman, Nauman Habib, Fazl-e-Akbar, Adnan Raees, Waqar Ahmad, Fawad Khan (wk), Junaid Khan, Samiullah Khan, Umar Gul (will be included after a fitness test).

Styris and Oram lead New Zealand home

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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Scott Styris latches onto a pull during his fine innings © Getty Images

A fine allround display from Scott Styris, and an unbeaten stand of 138 with Jacob Oram, handed New Zealand the bragging rights, but more importantly the points, from the main clash in Group C. England were twice well placed, but three key middle-order batsmen fell within six balls, then Styris steadied the Kiwis after their top three had gone against the new ball and victory came with nine overs to spare.New Zealand were badly hurt when England pipped them to the CB Series finals, but the World Cup often brings out their best. All their top qualities were on show; Stephen Fleming’s work in the field was outstanding, especially when he kept his nerve while Kevin Pietersen threatened to change gear, the bowling was varied and the experience of the deep batting order came to the fore.The chase began in dramatic style as James Anderson, who only made the match at the last minute with his broken finger, removed Lou Vincent in the opening over. It continued England’s mini-resurgence, started with the eighth-wicket stand between Paul Nixon and Liam Plunkett, which lifted their total over 200. When Plunkett added the scalp of Ross Taylor – courtesy of a blinding one-handed catch at first slip by Andrew Flintoff – and Fleming pulled a steepler to square leg the buzz was all with England.However, New Zealand are a confident one-day team after their Chappell-Hadlee whitewash especially on the batting front. Styris and Craig McMillan countered as though they were again chasing 300-plus. But it was a well-conceived plan, the batsmen were aware that run-scoring would be easier while the ball was hard so despite the early wickets the approach was still attack. The required rate was always under control and it forced Michael Vaughan to make something happen.He opted to hold back the final Powerplay and introduced Monty Panesar; McMillan couldn’t resist the challenge and picked out deep cover to end a stand of 53 in 10 overs. Styris, though, had settled into a comfortable rhythm, showing his best form since returning form injury during the CB Series. He was quick onto anything short and when the field went more defensive rotated the strike with ease. He offered one chance on 61 – and it was England’s last hope of getting back into the contest – when Pietersen shelled a catch at short cover.The century stand with Oram began with the game in the balance but slowly broke England’s spirits. Oram came out of his shell with a handsome six off Panesar and as the target grew closer he became more inventive with his strokeplay. His half-century, off 68 balls, continued his batting form from Australia and showed how he can adapt to be more than the brutal hitter that has previously been on show.

England had been well placed before Shane Bond struck two blows © Getty Images

England had been on course to set a more demanding target as Pietersen and Paul Collingwood added 81 for the fourth wicket in 20 overs. The top three had departed for 52 – Vaughan again throwing away a solid start – but the middle order pair played sensibly. It wasn’t the blazing Pietersen on show, only once did he really unleash, against Jeetan Patel, but he’d worked out it was a grafting rather than glory situation. But in the blink of an eye the picture changed.Styris, whose medium-pace was ideal for the sluggish surface, made his first impression by removing Collingwood and Fleming, who sensed the moment, returned to Shane Bond. The effect was instant as Pietersen appeared to loose his bearings and chipped to long on, then three balls later Andrew Flintoff was deceived by an outstanding slower ball and picked out cover.Bond had again proven why he is one of the most effective one-day bowlers in the game, backing his captain’s move, and Styris wasn’t finished, either, as he removed Jamie Dalrymple to another thin edge. From 133 for 3, England had slumped to 138 for 7. However, the contrasting styles of Nixon and Plunkett provided a feisty stand of a run-a-ball 71.In the final reckoning, though, it was the damage done to the middle order that was the defining moment of the match. Both these teams entered the World Cup with fresh memories of impressive one-day triumphs but it’s New Zealand who have continued the momentum and opened their campaign in style.

Batty gives England A the advantage

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ScorecardGareth Batty captured four wickets after hitting a half-century to give England A the upper hand against West Indies A on the second day of their first unofficial Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground. Batty remained unbeaten on 75 in England A’s first-innings total of 386 and then took 4 for 62 to reduce West Indies A to 229 for 7 by the close, still 157 behind.Sylvester Joseph, the West Indies A captain who was leading a rearguard fightback, was unbeaten on 36 along with Dave Mohammed on 28. The duo have so far put on 40 for the eighth wicket. Joseph has batted patiently for 152 minutes while facing 107 balls and striking four fours, while Mohammed has so far faced 31 balls and struck two fours and a towering six over long-on off Alex Loudon.Batty had resumed on 30 with the score on 304 for 8. He and Alex Wharf, unbeaten on nine at the start, shared in a ninth wicket stand of 89 to frustrate West Indies A for 75 minutes in the morning session. Wharf made 32 before he edged a drive to slip off left-arm spinner Mohammed, who ended with 4 for 109 from 30 overs as the ninth wicket fell at 356.Sajid Mahmood was last out for ten when his on-drive was caught inches off the ground by a diving Dale Richards running in at mid-on off Narsingh Deonarine. Batty, who slapped Jermaine Lawson to the cover fence to bring up his 50, batted for 173 minutes, faced 112 balls and struck nine fours. Richard Kelly, who took four scalps on the first day, ended with 4 for 70 from 17 overs.Batty then captured four wickets on the trot after West Indies A were seemingly coasting at 104 for 3 with Richards and Joseph at the crease. Richards, who had pulled Mahmood for a six over midwicket and hooked Kabir Ali for four to reach his half-century, was dismissed one run later when he edged a cut off Batty to wicket-keeper Chris Read.Joseph and Deonarine then added 32 for the fifth wicket before Deonarine, who had lifted a full toss from Batty over midwicket for a six, needlessly lost his wicket. He padded up to a delivery from Batty and was adjudged lbw by Clancy Mack, who also ruled that Kelly (18) was caught at slip off Batty, to leave West Indies A on 189 for 7.Kelly, who had swung Batty for a big six over midwicket, gestured to Mack that the ball had taken his pad before walking away. Carlton Baugh (4) skied an attempted slog-sweep to midwicket to give Batty his third wicket. West Indies A had lost four wickets for 85 runs. Earlier, two wickets in three balls by Mahmood rocked the top-order after Ali had made the initial breakthrough by removing Lendl Simmons (14) to a catch at the wicket at 42 for 1.Mahmood, who has taken 2 for 30 from 13 overs, induced Sewnarine Chattergoon, who hit 45 from 104 balls with six fours, to chase a wide ball to third slip, to end a second-wicket stand of 59 with Richards. Marlon Samuels (0) only lasted two balls before Mahmood comprehensively beat his lazy attempt to cover his stumps, the ball taking an inside edge before knocking back his off and middle stumps.England A lost the services of Wharf after 9.3 overs when he twisted his right ankle attempting to stop a back-drive from Joseph. His condition will be assessed overnight.