Campbell warms up for Test Series against Sri Lanka with a century

Jamaican opener John Campbell stroked a boundary-filled hundred for Roston Chase's XI, on the opening day of the four-day West Indies 'Best vs Best' practice game against Brathwaite's XI at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The left-handed Campbell stroked an efficient 129 from 253 balls, as Chase's XI posted 280 for seven at stumps on day one.

The knock signified a willingness to hold on to the opening position for Campbell, who had come under tremendous pressure, following a lukewarm performance in the last Test series in Bangladesh, where he scored just 80 runs in four innings during the two Test matches.

The St Mary native, who told STAR Sports that his innings was more patient than his previous knocks, rattled up 15 fours and three sixes in his more than 325 minutes at the crease.

"The knock was a good one for me and what was most pleasing is that I got to spend some time in the middle, which is exactly what I wanted, "said Campbell.

STRUGGLING

The Jamaica Scorpions Regional Four Day skipper laid the platform for a good outing with the bat for Chase's XI, who were struggling at one stage at 53 for three after Trinidadian seamer Jayden Seales removed opener Shayne Moseley for three and Sunil Ambris for a first-ball duck.

Left-arm seamer Preston McSween then accounted for the wicket of Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner, lbw for 16.

It was then that Campbell and captain Roston Chase set about the recovery mission, and the pair added a vital 183-run fourth-wicket partnership to set the innings in good stead.

Chase batted his way back into form with a valiant 75 runs from 159 balls with 10 fours.

Seales would cap off a good opening day with his third wicket, when he had Raymon Reifer caught for two, to finish with three for 42 from 15 overs.

Preston McSween ended the day with two wickets for 40 runs from 20 overs, while there was a wicket each for Rahkeem Cornwall, who eventually got Campbell out, caught by Jamaican Paul Palmer for 129.

Left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge was the other wicket-taker when he had Chase stumped by Joshua Da Silva.

Jamaican Jermaine Blackwood will resume today unbeaten on 18 from 45 deliveries with three fours already under his belt, while Imran Khan is not out on three.

The other Jamaican involved in the match, Marquino Mindley, went wicketless in his 10 overs while conceding 36 runs.