Vincentian-born Sunil Ambris hit an unbeaten 114 off 98 balls to give the West Indies first-innings points in their two-day warm-up game against the Indian Board President’s XI in Vadodara, India, on Sept. 30.
Ambris, who had also struck a ton against India A at Beckenham in July, continued his impressive form to press his case for a place in the first test against India on Thursday in Rajkot.
The West Indies top three — Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell and Shai Hope — and Shane Dowrich pitched in with useful contributions, too, helping their side take a six-run lead after the hosts had declared on 360-6 at the end of the first day, according to Cricinfo.
It said Shimron Hetmyer (7) and Roston Chase (5) were the only frontline West Indian batsmen to be dismissed for single-digit scores.
Cricinfo said Brathwaite (52 off 78 balls, 9×4) and wicketkeeper-batsman Dowrich (65 off 69, 9×4, 1×6) made half-centuries before Ambris, who came in at No. 7, “took charge.”
Ambris raised his first fifty off 60 balls and then accelerated to his second off only 35 balls. Altogether, he hit 17 fours and five sixes.
When Jomel Warrican fell, the West Indies were 279 for 7, still 81 runs behind, but Ambris and Sherman Lewis, who is uncapped in Test cricket, moved the West Indies into the lead with an unbroken 87-run stand in 13.3 overs, of which Lewis contributed only 8, Cricinfo said.
It said the Indian spinners – left-armer Saurabh Kumar and offspinner Jalaj Saxena – “toiled away” for 50 overs, conceding 221 runs between them while taking three wickets.
Madhya Pradesh seamer Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, finishing with 4 for 60 in 17 overs, Cricinfo said.
Scores: West Indies 366 for 7 dec. (Ambris 114*, Dowrich 65, Brathwaite 52, Avesh 4-60) drew with Indian Board President’s XI 366 for 7 dec. (Bawne 116*, Agarwal 90, Bishoo 3-104.
