Morkel brothers defy West Indies

Albie Morkel and his brother Morne defied West Indies with a ninth-wicket stand of 141 against Easterns on day two of a four-day tour match on Saturday.

Albie Morkel and his brother Morne defied West Indies with a ninth-wicket stand of 141 against Easterns on day two of a four-day tour match on Saturday.

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Albie Morkel smcshed a career-best 132 and Morne, on his first-class debut, finished unbeaten on 44.

Easterns were bowled out for 313 and at the close West Indies were 27 without loss, a lead of 48.

Albie Morkel came to the crease with Easterns in trouble at 81 for six but started rebuilding the innings with fellow tail-enders Geoffrey Toyana and Sean O'Connor who both made 22.

West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan usee nine bowlers in all but Albie Morkel quickly had their measure.

By the time he was ninth out, getting a faint edge through to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh off Ravi Rampaul, he had faced 183 balls in nearly four hours, stroking 17 fours and two sixes.

His brother Morne also looked comfortable despite having taken a hiding from the West Indies batsmen on day one when his five overs cost 54 runs and included 17 no-balls and a wide.

Rampaul's figures made the best reading of all the West Indian bowling, the youngster finishing with four for 63.

In an unusual development, coach Gus Logie made a number of short appearances as a fielder for injury-hit West Indies as several squad members were given a break from fielding.