Jermaine Blackwood and Shai Hope both scored half-centuries at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium as the WI Best ‘A’ ended day-one of their four-day intra-squad match against WI Best ‘B’ in a commanding position as at stumps the latter were struggling at 44-4 still 220 runs behind.

‘A’ captain, Blackwood scored 85 and Hope 79, as the side reached 264 all out, despite a late order collapse that saw them lose five wickets for just 10 runs. Hope featured in an opening stand of 62 with John Campbell, who made 20 and was the first of three wickets for Chemar Holder.

Blackwood, meanwhile, put on 54 with Joshua Da Silva, who made 13 and then 77 with Kavem Hodge, who got 37 before the innings fell away to the bowling of Roston Chase.

Chase took 4-44 as the ‘A’ slid from 254 for 5. Holder finished with 3 for 44.

Blackwood said he was to take part of the blame for the collapse as it was after he lost his wicket that the slide began. He said, however, that he had wanted to bat as long as possible and as a result top scored with his 85. He added that the ball was coming onto the bat nicely.

When the ‘B’ side led by Jahmar Hamilton batted they lost two wickets within the first four overs as Shayne Moseley fell for one to Shannon Gabriel with the score at 16. Keon Harding then trapped Nkrumah Bonner for a duck to make it 17 for 2.

Harding picked up his second wicket when he dismissed Shamarh Brooks for 14 to make it 31 for 3 at the end of the eighth over. Ten runs later Nial Smith got Kieron Powell on 22 to fend one to gully.

Roston Chase on five and Paul Palmer on naught will resume batting this morning.

Harding has so far taken 2-23, while Gabriel has 1-15 and Smith 1-5.