NORTHAMPTON – A magnificent century from Kirk Edwards was not enough, as West Indies slipped to a five-wicket defeat to England Lions in their second match of a tri-nations limited-overs series yesterday.The right-handed Barbados batsman slammed 147 from 132 balls to catapult Windies “A” to 279 for six from their 50 overs after they opted to bat first at the County Ground at Wantage Road.With his side in trouble at 46 for three, Edwards rose to the occasion with a superb knock, stroking 18 fours and three sixes to revive the innings.His innings was the foundation of a 137-run, fourth-wicket stand with Assad Fudadin, who scored 51 from 74 balls with three fours and two sixes.However, England’s “A” side, comprising eight players who have already played Tests or One-Day Internationals, easily chased down their target to reach 281 for five with eight balls to spare.Jonathan Trott carved out 118 to lead the run chase, while captain Alistair Cook hit 71 at the top of the order. (CMC)
SCOREBOARD:
WEST INDIES ‘A’*D. Smith c wk Davies b Shahzad 0+A. Fletcher b Woakes 10O. Phillips c wk Davies b Bopara 15K. Edwards b Woakes 147A. Fudadin c Mahmood b Bopara 51K. Stoute c Woakes b Shahzad 12A. Russell not out 22I. Khan not out 1Extras (b1, lb5, w13, nb2) 21 TOTAL (6 wkts – 50 overs) 279Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Smith, 0.1 overs), 2-16 (Fletcher, 7.1), 3-46 (Phillips, 15.5), 4-183 (Fudadin, 40.1), 5-237 (Stoute, 46.1), 6-257 (Edwards, 48.3). Did not bat: A. Martin, G. Tonge, L. Baker.Bowling: Shahzad 10-2-25-2, Woakes 10-3-48-2, Mahmood 10-0-79-0, Bopara 8-0-42-2, Tredwell 9-0-54-0, Stevens 3-0-25-0.ENGLAND LIONS+S. Davies c Smith b Tonge 11 *A. Cook c Baker b Khan 71J. Trott c wkpr Fletcher b Russell 118I. Bell c wkpr Fletcher b Tonge 44R. Bopara bTonge 16A. Gale not out 3D. Stevens not out 6Extras (b2, lb3, w5, nb2) 12 TOTAL (5 wkts – 48.4 overs) 281Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Davies, 4.2 overs), 2-137 (Cook, 26.4), 3-219 (Bell, 41.4), 4-253 (Bopara, 46), 5-274 (Trott, 48.1).Did not bat: J. Tredwell, C. Woakes, A. Shahzad, S. MahmoodBowling: Tonge 9.5-0-55-3, Russell 7.4-1-60-1, Baker 8.1-1-45-0, Martin 10-0-44-0, Khan 9-0-46-1, Smith 4-0-26-0.Toss: West Indies ‘A’. Result: England Lions won by five wickets.Points: England Lions 4, West Indies ‘A’ 0.Umpires: Rob Bailey, Peter Willey.
