21 November, 2009
Full Scorecard
The West Indies have produced a confidence-boosting batting display on the final day of the tour match against Queensland to earn a draw at the Allan Border Field.
Looking to find some form ahead of the first Test against Australia next week, the tourists appeared in dire danger of suffering an innings loss when they slumped to 4-165 in the first session, needing 346 to make the Bulls bat again.
But a 131-run partnership between half-centurions Ramnaresh Sarwan (66) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (69) ensured the Windies held on, finishing the fourth and final day at 6-357, Brendan Nash (36) and Denesh Ramdin (20) the unbeaten batsmen.
Resuming play after tea with the score at 5-300, the Bulls looked like pulling off a big victory when skipper Chris Simpson (1-31) claimed the key wicket of Chanderpaul for 69 in the session's sixth over.
But Nash and Ramdin took no risks and gained some quality batting practice against Queensland's youthful, but promising attack, led by Nathan Rimmington, who took two wickets on the final day for figures of 2-60 from 25 overs.
In a game of fluctuating fortunes, the West Indies were bowled out for 271 in their first innings and were almost powerless to stop an inspired Bulls' batting display from then on.
Nick Kruger (172), Wade Townsend (100) and Nathan Reardon (147) all scored maiden first-class centuries, the first time such a feat has occurred since the 1929/30 season when New South Wales played Tasmania.
Queensland eventually declared on a massive 7-617 but any chance the West Indies were going to roll over this time soon evaporated as openers Adrian Barath (74) and Travis Dowlin (53) put aside a disappointing first innings and moved to 95 without loss before Reardon claimed Dowlin's wicket.
Three wickets then fell during the first session of play on Saturday, giving the Bulls hope of an innings victory, but that was soon dashed as Sarwan and Chanderpaul imposed themselves on the contest.