McLean bags five in South Africa

DURBAN: Windward Islands fast bowler Nixon McLean starred with the ball for KwaZulu-Natal against Griqualand West on the opening day of their SuperSport First-Class series match yesterday.

McLean, who has played 19 Tests for West Indies, captured five wickets for 32 runs from 13 overs as Griquas were bowled out for 112 in their first innings just before tea. McLean removed Gregor Smith for 11, Martyn Gidley for eight, Benjamin Hector for one, Wendell Bossenger for nine and Pakistan leg-spin all-rounder Shahid Afridi for seven. Embattled South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener supported with four for 29 from 15.1 overs and former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock captured the other wicket for 26 runs from 13 overs. By the close, KwaZulu-Natal had taken a slender first innings lead, reaching 130 for three. Meanwhile, Guyana’s Reon King and Jamaica’s Daren Powell were not playing for Nort-herns and Gauteng respectively in this latest round of matches. They have reportedly been sidelined with back problems.