West Indies Test Warm-up: Thorne is bright spark as bowlers toil on Day 2

West Indies continued their preparation for their 3- match Test Series against England, set to begin next week, with a 3-Day match against the First-Class Counties (FCC) Select XI.
Although Day 1 was a commendable one for the batting group, Day 2 was quite the opposite for the bowlers, who toiled much of the day and picked up just 4 wickets.
The FCC Select XI resumed Day 2 on 15 without loss, in pursuit of 339. The opening pair of Harry Singh and Ben McKinney continued forging the opening partnership until it was broken by Jason Holder for 56 runs.
Following McKinney’s departure for 22 from 44 deliveries, Isai Thorne, who is a part of the squad as a development player, struck not too long after, removing Singh for 34 from 79 balls.

While Tom Prest and Hamza Shaikh both brought up half centuries, spanning 53 from 89 balls and 84 in 112 deliveries, William Luxton kept the runs ticking for FCC.
Luxton smashed a century, and remained unbeaten on 112 off 130 deliveries, encompassing 15 fours and 3 sixes, before the FCC Select XI declared. Harry Duke was also unbeaten on 46 from 69 balls.
Thorne ended with figures of 1-28 from 8 overs, while Alzarri Joseph claimed 1-33 in 10. Holder and Kavem Hodge were responsible for the other two wickets, as the FCC declared on 373-4, leading West Indies by 34 runs.
Vice-captain Joseph later reflected on his performance and that of the West Indian bowling unit.
The West Indies Vice-Captain shared about his performance: “It was pretty good getting one out after not bowling red-ball for a couple of months. I think I got what I needed out of it, get a few overs under my belt, spend some time out in the field.
I think these are all about getting yourself prepared, getting everyone prepared mentally and physically for the games. So, all in all, I think everyone got what they needed out of this practice game.

“Yeah, our last Test series was pretty good, so we’re looking forward to building on that,” Joseph said about the upcoming Test Matches against England.
Similarly to their first innings, West Indies lost two early wickets before close of play. Zachary McCaskie departed for 2 from 6 balls, while Kirk McKenzie added 17 from 20 balls before meeting his demise.
Nonetheless, Mikyle Louis remains unbeaten on 28 from 46 balls, Alick Athanaze is yet to get off the mark in seven deliveries faced.
With 57-2 at close of play, West Indies currently lead FCC Select XI by 23 runs heading into day 3.
The day’s play is expected to commence at 06:00hrs local time.