Lions run through West Indians

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Cricket365
May 11, 2012

The West Indians did little to dispel the notion that they will be no match for England over the coming weeks as they were bowled out for 147 by the England Lions.

The West Indians did little to dispel the notion that they will be no match for England over the coming weeks as they were bowled out for 147 on day one of their tour match against the England Lions in Northampton on Thursday.

While the tourists were able to point at some helpful conditions for the fast bowlers as intermittent rain saw play interrupted on several occasions, they will know that they will likely contend with similar issues when the first Test starts in a week.

Darren Bravo was the only batsman who suggested he could counter it as he struck 51, but only three other batsmen reached double figures as the Lions' four-man seam attack tore through the islanders.

The Lions then made a solid enough start, progressing to 40 for one with Michael Carberry and Nick Compton seeing them through to stumps after Joe Root had been trapped lbw by Kemar Roach early on.

Jack Brooks and Stuart Meaker enhanced their reputation with three-wicket hauls, while Jade Dernbach and Matt Coles picked up two wickets apiece.

The hosts, who won the toss and opted to bowl first, went without spinner Simon Kerrigan in conditions largely expected to suit seam, a decision that was quickly justified when the West Indies fell to 16 for three.

Bravo was the only player digging in for the West Indians, but he lost a key ally when Shivnarine Chanderpaul was beaten for pace by a Coles short ball and was caught at mid-on.

Marlon Samuels showed that his stint in the Indian Premier League had rubbed off as he stroked a series of boundaries on his arrival at the crease, and he went on to share a 75-run stand with Bravo either side of lunch which briefly revived the innings.

Bravo began his knock slowly before coming out of his shell, but became the first of Meaker's quickly-snared victims when he was caught for 51.

Meaker picked up Samuels (32) and Shane Shillingford in his next two overs to leave the West Indian innings in disarray, before his colleagues knocked off the tail without any real trouble.

The start of play was delayed by an hour to midday (11:00 GMT) due to a wet outfield.