Cricket: Sinclair misses good chance

WELLINGTON - Mathew Sinclair missed a good chance yesterday to show the New Zealand cricket selectors they erred on Wednesday in leaving him out of the team for the first test against the West Indies in Hamilton from December 16.

Though Sinclair top-scored with 44 in New Zealand A's first innings of 155 against England A in the second "test" at the Basin Reserve he was disappointed he failed to push on to a total well past 50.

"I'm in good form and feeling confident, and it would have been good to put some pressure on the guys named in the side," Sinclair said.

New Zealand A's total looked a lot more competitive when England replied with 51 for two.

England A soon had New Zealand A 25-3 before Sinclair and captain Mark Richardson (30) produced the best batting of the innings in a fourth-wicket partnership of 56 in 89 minutes.

Gary Stead, who will open in the first test, was first out, caught behind for five off left-arm swing bowler Alamgir Sheriyar.

Matthew Bell also fell to Sheriyar for five, being well caught by Marcus Trescothick at third slip. By lunch New Zealand A were 58 for three, and had the England bowlers been more accurate the home team's position could easily have been worse.

There were several soft dismissals in the New Zealand A innings as the conditions became more friendly, and coach Ashley Ross was concerned the batsmen had not chosen greater fight.

- NZPA