Campbell's second ton boosts Windies

Vice-captain Sherwin Campbell ground out his second century in five days as the West Indies found some much-needed grit on the third day of the four-day match against Western Australia on Saturday.

Known by his team-mates as 'Master', Campbell, 30, occupied the crease for a marathon seven hours while grafting a chanceless 119 after making 111 not out against an Australian Cricket Board Chairman's X1 on Tuesday.

It was not an attractive knock at the WACA Ground, but the steely display by the right-handed opener gave new heart to a side low on confidence after two poor opening days in the match as they prepare for the first Test against Australia starting Thursday week (November 23).

Finding batting a much less hazardous business after the pitch had dried out, the West Indies went to stumps with a second innings 266-6, leading overall by 40 runs after being skittled for 132 in their first innings.

Skipper Jimmy Adams was unbeaten on 41, painstakingly compiled in two and a half hours, when Mervyn Dillon was ousted by State captain Tom Moody from the last ball of the day.

Western Australia totalled 358 in their first innings.

The tenacious Campbell, resuming on 19, added 17 in the first session, 46 in the second and 37 in the third as he completed his 21st first-class century - of which four have been in Tests - in his 135th match in top company.

Weary after spending almost the entire day at the crease, Campbell fell shortly before stumps when he was trapped in front by Moody.

Campbell received solid support from nightwatchman Marlon Black(3), who survived for another 37 minutes Saturday, Wavell Hinds (27 in almost an hour), Shirnarine Chanderpaul (43 in just over two hours) and Adams.

Such was Campbell's patience that it was not until the 87th over of the innings that he completed his century from 240 balls in exactly six hours.

He hardly made a false shot as he selected his strokes with computer-like precision, hitting 14 boundaries in his 'ton' and two more before he fell.

Hinds hit three fours in his 42-ball knock, Chanderpaul struck five boundaries in his 105-ball stay and Adams clipped the ball to the boundary four times.

Black was ousted by former Test fast bowler Matt Nicholson, Hinds fell to left-arm paceman Steve Nikitaras and Chanderpaul was trapped by schoolteacher speedster Gavin Swan when Simon Katich pouched a sizzling low catch low at square leg.

Mail Cricket Editor