by HAYDN GILL in St Lucia GROS ISLET - For the second time in a week, lightning did strike twice in the same place in some ways. West Indies 'A' weren't able to pull off another grand victory in pursuit of another imposing total against England 'A', but they once more celebrated the achievements of two centuries. Once again, those hundreds rescued them from potential peril to earn them a draw and confirmed them as winners of the unofficial two-match Test series, ending at 278 for six after England's expected overnight declaration offered them a target of 349. Sylvester Joseph earned the tag of "Consistent Captain" following a second century in the series, an unbeaten 106, which was again attained with immense responsibility to bail the West Indies out of a potential crisis Sewnarine Chattergoon, the 24-year-old left-hander, finally converted a solid start into a major contribution, hitting a mature 107 that was just as impressive as the hundred he made for Guyana in the KFC Cup final against Barbados last October. Joseph and Chattergoon featured in a match-saving fourth-wicket stand of 162 after England made early inroads to reduce West Indies to 40 for three inside the first hour. There was a definite carbon-copy of the proceedings in Antigua last week when West Indies were 83 for three at one stage chasing of 365 and were carried to their amazing one-wicket win with hundreds from Joseph and Marlon Samuels and their fourth-wicket partnership of 194. By lunch yesterday, the recovery was on the way, West Indies reaching 90 for three. By tea, a possible hint of victory was on the cards at 187 for three, but to score 162 in 32 overs at a rate of 5.06 in the final session was always going to be tough ask. Joseph's century, which occupied five-and-half-hours and included 16 fours off 219 balls, was his second hundred of the series, the eighth of his first-class career and earned him the Man-Of-The-Match for the second time on the trot. He needed a big slice of luck and it was almost unbelievable when Mike Yardy spilled a straight forward chance at forward short-leg off pacer Sajid Mahmood before the West Indies captain had scored. l haydngill@nation news.com
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