West Indies 'A' thrash India 'A', clinch series 2-1

West Indies 'A' fast bowler Kevin McCLean grabbed a five-for to guide the hosts to a series clinching 10-wicket victory over India 'A' in the third and final unofficial 'Test' match in Gros Islet (St Lucia) on Tuesday.

Having lost the first Test, the West Indies 'A' came back strongly to win the series 2-1. 

The hosts chased down the target of 97 in just 17.5 overs. 

First-innings centurion Kieran Powell top-scored with an unbeaten 56 while Kraigg Brathwaite remained not out on 39 as the hosts completed the formality before lunch on the final day. 

Starting the day at 181 for seven, the India A innings got terminated at 202 for nine after Robin Bist, who has a finger injury, did not come out to bat. McLean picked up five for 57 in 20 overs for his third five-wicket haul as West Indies were left to chase a paltry target at the Beausejour Stadium. 

Earlier, a lot depended on vice-captain Wriddhiman Saha (52, 157 balls, 7x4, 1x6). The Bengal glovesman started with a glorious cover drive to reach his half century. 

But then McLean or 'Big Mac', as he is affectionately called by his teammates, bowled a fuller length delivery and found Saha plumb in-front. 

With no sign of Bist, it was Shami Ahmed who chanced his arms to get a few boundaries as India 'A' team debutant Parvinder Awana (0) played an ugly hoick off McLean's bowling to Donovan Pagon who was stationed at mid-wicket. 

In the end, it was again the same story of poor batting as the Indian team failed to cross 250-plus in four consecutive innings -- a poor advertisement by some of India's younger crop of players expected to play an active role in the longer version in years to come. 

Brief Scores:
India A 220 & 202-9 (M Tiwary 62, W Saha 52, K McLean 5-57, D Johnson 3-54) 
West Indies A 336 & 97 for no loss (Kieran Powell 56 not out, Kraigg Brathwaite 39 not out).

Photo: www.windiescricket.com