Shai Hope and Jermaine Blackwood scored stroke-filled half-centuries, but the bowlers dominated as 14 wickets fell on the first day of the “Best v Best” four-day match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Monday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Blackwood XI were dismissed for 264 an hour after tea, with Blackwood top-scoring with 85 and Hope hitting 79. Kavem Hodge chipped in with 37 but the only other batsman to reach double figures was opener John Campbell with 20. Off-spinner Roston Chase snatched 4-44 while pacer Chemar Holder claimed 3-44 and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, 2-35.

In reply, fast bowler Keon Harding (2-23) picked two wickets as Jahmar Hamilton’s XI tumbled to 44-4 four at the close. The match continues on Tuesday and LIVE ball-by-ball action is available at West Indies YouTube channel (Windies Cricket) Click here https://youtu.be/kvniMRsupus

Earlier in the day, Hope hit 13 fours and a six off only 88 balls and two hours. He put on 62 with the left-handed Campbell, Blackwood then inspired two successive half-century stands, first posting 54 for the fifth wicket with wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva (13) and then 77 for the sixth wicket with Hodge.

The captain struck ten fours and two sixes off 125 balls in a shade over 2-½ hours before he was sixth out leg-before to Warrican.

Scorecard - Best v Best Day 1 - Scorecard