England batsmen occupy crease ahead of Windies Test
England should go into the first Test against the West Indies on Monday fairly satisfied after most of their batsmen spent a decent amount of time in the middle on the last day of their two-day warm up against a St Kitts Invitational side.
After the local side scored 303 for nine on Day one of the match, with the help of a few of the tourists' players, England set about the day intent on occupying the crease.
Adam Lyth, getting his first bat in England colours, opened the batting with skipper Alastair Cook. Lyth needed a big score to put pressure on the selectors to be included in the starting team for the first Test, which takes place in Antigua.
Lyth though only scored 23, while Cook was happy to get some batting practice in the middle, scoring 22 from 86 balls before he retired himself out. Ian Bell, Jos Buttler and Gary Ballance, all certain starters against the Windies spent at least 70 minutes at the crease.
England bowlers Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood opened the bowling for the home team, hoping to make an impression on the selectors, but neither impressed, with the tourists eventually finishing the day on 222 all out, although four batsmen retired out.
The one player who probably got the most out of the practice games would have been captain Cook who scored a century and looked solid for the most part.
Although the opposition were not up to scratch and they will go into the first Test somewhat underprepared, England tried to make the best of the four days of warm-up cricket they had before the first Test.
Latest
-
NewsEngland take safety-first approach to ensure first Test ends in draw at Lord’s
Dominic Sibley scored an unbeaten 60 to guide the home side to a share of the spoils.
-
NewsEngland seamer Ollie Robinson suspended pending investigation into tweets
Tweets containing racist and sexist terms were sent on the bowler’s account in 2012 and 2013.
-
NewsJoe Root admits there was never a ‘realistic opportunity’ for England victory
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson tried to tempt England in the final two sessions by declaring during lunch, setting a victory target of 273.
-
NewsYorkshire secure dramatic victory over Sussex to remain in race for the title
Four wickets from Dom Bess helped the Tykes eventually break the resistance of the visitors’ lower order.
-
NewsEngland hold on for draw in first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s
A grandstand finish failed to materialise and the series heads to Edgbaston all square.
-
NewsEngland 56 for two chasing 273 on final day of first Test against New Zealand
The Lord’s encounter looks to be heading for a draw.
-
NewsNew Zealand up the ante at Lord’s as England face a challenging target
The tourists are likely to declare at some point this afternoon to leave England the probability of batting to save the Test.
-
NewsRory Burns hails ‘special’ hundred in front of baby daughter
The England opener’s wife and five-month-old child Cora were at Lord’s to see him bat through the innings against New Zealand.
-
NewsOliver Hannon-Dalby takes Warwickshire top while Glamorgan beat Lancashire
Durham and Leicestershire also wrapped up victories on day three.
-
NewsTim Southee and Rory Burns take headlines while Ollie Robinson impresses again
Robinson has impacted his debut Test with bat and ball but there was no such good news for James Bracey or Dan Lawrence.