Deonarine, Baugh smash centuries against Aussies

GEORGETOWN: Middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine and wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh dented Australia’s pride with a pulsating 221-run unfinished seventh wicket partnership as the West Indies Carib Beer XI earned a creditable draw against the World Cup champions on the final day of their three-day match at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Set the daunting task of scoring 442 for victory, after Australia were dismissed for 196 in the first session of play, the Carib Beer XI closed the day on 402 for six with Deonarine undefeated on 141 and Baugh, who has been included in the West Indies 14-man squad for the first Cable and Wireless Test, a swashbuckling 115 not out, both achieving their second First-Class centuries. Deonarine’s unbeaten knock followed his maiden hundred against India “A”, while Baugh scored his against Barbados, both at the Kensington Oval Barbados, representing the West Indies “B” in this year’s inaugural Carib Beer Series tournament.

The two came together, just before tea, with defeat seemingly staring the Carib Beer XI at 180 for six after left-arm spinner Brad Hogg had engineered a middle-order collapse, bagging five for 50 in his first 14 overs. The left-right combination proceeded to dominate the Australian spinners as Australian captain, Steve Waugh noticeably used his two main pacers, Jason Gillespie and Andy Bichel, very sparingly, the two sending down only 18 of the 81 overs bowled. There was no respite for leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, who ended with one for 126 off 26 overs, while Hogg, who finished with five for 112, was punished for 72 in his last eight overs.