WEST Indies opener Devon Smith rode his luck to hit an unbeaten 130 yesterday that took the West Indies XI to a formidable 311 for 5 when play was called off at 17:28hrs in their two day practice match against a Brendan Nash led Invitational XI at the Demerara Cricket Club ground yesterday. The 29 year old Smith, who was given two chances by the opposition when on 26 and after passing his ton, faced 224 deliveries, hitting 17 fours and two sixes while batting for 328 minutes.
Earlier, Darren Bravo struck 12 fours in his 61 that was accumulated off 62 deliveries and 92 minutes batting, before he was caught at extra cover by Kwame Crosse off Paul Wintz, who bowled with control after being asked to replace left arm fast bowler Andre Stoll who tore a ligament in his right leg.
Wintz also removed his fellow countryman Ramnaresh Sarwan for 20, on his way to ending as the leading bowler for the Invitation XI, having picked up two wickets for 44 runs from 12 overs.
The in-form Lendl Simmons was the first to go, lbw to Christopher Barnwell (1-56) for 13 before Smith whose first life was offered at 26 when wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble failed to hold the offer off Wintz and Bravo repaired the damage with a 116 run second wicket partnership before Bravo was dismissed.
Carlton Baugh (17) and skipper Darren Sammy (15) were also dismissed by the Invitational XI, but Smith found a useful ally in Jamaican all rounder Andre Russell who was unbeaten on 33 (7×4) at the close, with the two adding 38 for the sixth wicket so far.
Fidel Edwards (1-32), Barnwell (1-56) and Randy Lindore 1-95 offered support to Wintz with the ball, as the Windies batsmen got in some much needed batting practice ahead of the first Test match. (Calvin Roberts)

WEST INDIES XI 1st Innings
L. Simmons lbw b Barnwell 13
D.S. Smith not out 130
D.M. Bravo c Crosse b Wintz 61
R. Sarwan c wkpr Bramble b Wintz 20
C. Baugh b Lindore 17
D. Sammy b Edwards 15
A. Russell not out 33
Extras (b5, lb4, nb12) 21
TOTAL (5 wkts) 310
K. Roach, R. Nanan, D. Bishoo, R. Rampaul to bat
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-112, 3-174, 4-217, 5-252
Bowling: Edwards 10-1-32-1, Stoll 3.3-1-6-0, Garraway 11.3-2-44-0, Barnwell 10-1-56-1, Wintz 12-2-44-2, Lindore 24-1-95-1, Nash 7-0-24-0
INVITATIONAL XI: K. Brathwaite, C. Barnwell, M. Samuels, *B. Nash, K. Crosse, J. Hinckson, +A. Bramble, F. Edwards, A. Stoll, R. Lindore, T. Garraway