Third defeat for Windies ‘A’

WORCESTER – Kevin Stoute and Darren Bravo stroked half-centuries but West Indies “A” crashed to their third straight defeat of the tri-nations limited-overs series yesterday with a 124-run loss to a powerful England Lions.Ravi Bopara smashed an exhilarating 168 to fire England Lions to a formidable 345 all out off 49.1 overs and West Indies “A” could only muster 221 all out off 40 overs, in the fifth match of the tournament that also includes India “A”.Stoute topscored with 64 and Bravo chipped in with 62 to haul West Indies “A” around from a bad start, but Bopara returned to torment the visitors with his medium pace, capturing four for 43. Fast bowler Peter Trego snatched five for 40 to lead England’s “A” side who have now won both their matches in the series.Bowling first after winning the toss at New Road, West Indies “A” reduced England Lions to 14 for three in the fourth over but Bopara cracked 23 fours and two sixes from 140 balls to lead the recovery.Fast bowler Gavin Tonge was the main destroyer in the innings, snaring four for 69.Windies “A” captain Devon Smith fell cheaply for two with the score on eight in the third over and Andre Fletcher and Kirk Edwards followed to leave the Caribbean side on 57 for three at the end of the 11th.However, Stoute and Bravo combined in a 95-run, fourth-wicket stand to give West Indies “A” a glimmer of hope.Stoute hit nine fours off 73 balls, while Bravo counted eight fours in an innings that required 84 balls.Bopara accounted for both batsmen, to leave Windies “A” struggling again at 188 for five in the 35th over, and despite Walton’s cameo 25 from 18 balls the last five wickets collapsed for 33 runs in the space of 34 balls. (CMC)