Cricket: Debutant Sinclair hits double century for Kiwis

New Zealand 518-9 dec West Indies 5-1

THE DEBUTANT Mathew Sinclair helped New Zealand finish a memorable innings well in command on day two of the second Test against the West Indies here yesterday.

The tourists then faced five overs before stumps and lost the vital wicket of Sherwin Campbell for a duck, the opener falling lbw to Chris Cairns in his first over. They finished the day on 5 for 1 in reply to New Zealand's 518 for 9.

New Zealand declared shortly before the close, having lost five wickets in the last session for 45 runs, with Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan adding 51 for the sixth wicket before both were out for 31. Cairns was caught at point by Jimmy Adams off Franklyn Rose, while McMillan was caught behind off Reon King.

Earlier, Sinclair went on from his overnight 123 to reach 214 in his first Test innings and chalk up the joint second-highest score for a debutant. Nathan Astle, meanwhile, was run out for 93. Astle registered his ninth Test half-century with a cover drive for two off Rose, having faced 99 balls to get there. Astle and Sinclair put on 189 in all, the second century partnership involving the latter after the 164 he added with his captain, Stephen Fleming, on Sunday.

Australian-born Sinclair's innings lasted 447 balls and included 22 fours. His effort was the seventh-highest score of all time by a New Zealander. He was eventually bowled by King, who was the most successful West Indies bowler with 4 for 96.

Second day; West Indies won toss

New Zealand - First Innings

(Overnight 263-3)

M S Sinclair b King 214

N J Astle run out 93

C D McMillan c Jacobs b King 31

C L Cairns c Adams b Rose 31

A C Parore b Rose 5

D L Nash not out 2

D L Vettori c Campbell b Rose 2

Extras (5b, 12lb, 1w, 14nb) 32

Total (for 9 dec, 173.3 overs) 518

Fall: 1-33, 2-76, 3-240, 4-429, 5-456, 6-507, 7-507, 8-514, 9-518.

Did Not Bat: S B O'Connor.

Bowling: Walsh 41-5-112-0; King 36-11-96-4; Rose 32.3-5- 113-3; Perry 32-5-120-0; Adams 26-9-45-0; Chanderpaul 6-1-15-1.

West Indies - First Innings

A F G Griffith not out 2

S L Campbell lbw b Cairns 0

N O Perry not out 3

Extras 0

Total (for 1, 5 overs) 5

Fall: 1-1

To bat: S Chanderpaul, *B C Lara, J C Adams, D Ganga, R D Jacobs, F A Rose, R D King, C A Walsh.

Bowling: Cairns 3-1-3-1; Nash 2-1-2-0.

Umpires: E A Watkin and R B Tiffin.