West Indies Board XI v Australians Rick Eyre for CricInfo - 22-24 February 1999 CricInfo report

West Indian supporters will have found some reason for hope as Australia crashed to 156 all out on the first day of their tour match against the West Indies Board XI at the Antigua Recreation Ground, St John's on Monday. Those hopes may have been muted somewhat with the news that the Board XI lost their first three wickets by stumps for the addition of one run - a lively wicket taking responsibility for some of the low scoring.

After Australian captain Shane Warne won the toss and batted, the top order fell to be 51 for 4. Greg Blewett (52) and Ian Healy (33) stiffened the middle of the Australian innings before the last five wickets fell for ten runs to leave the tourists all out for 156. Slater (25) and Elliott (10) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Justin Langer made a duck and Ricky Ponting 8.

Left-arm spinner Ryan Hinds, who is really in the team for his batting, was the best of the Board XI bowlers with 4/23. Other wickets fell to Pedro Collins (2/45), Dwight Mais (2/50) and Corey Colleymore (2/19).

Blewett's 52 from 104 balls included one six off Hinds which was smashed into the Andy Roberts Stand which raised his half-century. Shortly afterwards he was out lbw to a ball which he appeared to touch with his bat.

The Board XI will have wished they didn't have to begin their innings on Monday evening. Adrian Griffith was trapped leg before by Adam Dale for no score. Captain Stuart Williams was caught in slips by Warne off Andy Bichel for the same score. Wavell Hinds was another Dale lbw victim for exactly the same total. Wicketkeeper Matthew Sinclair broke the spell to become the team's top scorer on 1 not out. When bad light stopped play at 4.58pm, the Board team were 1 for 3 (or, in Australian terms, 3 for 1).

In all, the last eight wickets of the day fell for the addition of eleven runs. The Antigua Recreation Ground hosts the Fourth and final Test against Australia beginning April 3.