BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Nov 11, CMC – An unbeaten century by Dan Lawrence overshadowed Jyd Goolie’s fantastic ton and ushered England Lions to a comprehensive six-wicket win over West Indies ‘A’ to claim the One Day International series with two matches remaining here on Wednesday.
Lawrence slammed an even, unbeaten 100 off 93 balls, as England easily chased down the home side’s total of 273 for nine, finishing on 274 for four in 44.3 overs at Warner Park.
It gave the visitors an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, and left West Indies ‘A’ still searching for their first win of the white-ball tour.
The Windies got off to a nightmare start after electing to bat when Naavya Sharma bowled Mikyle Louis for a duck with the fourth ball of the match.
When medium pacer Ekansh Singh claimed the wickets of the two in-form batters, captain Keacy Carty and Kirk McKenzie for 13 and 30 respectively, the Windies were in a spot of bother at 55 for three after 10 overs.
Alick Athanaze and Goolie added 48 runs for the fourth wicket, before pacer Adam Finch dismissed the former for 21 and then bowled Jewel Andrew for one, to leave the home side stuttering at 107 for five.
But Goolie, who struck 119 off 104 balls with 12 fours and four sixes, together with Rivaldo Clarke who made 57, ensured the Windies got up to a decent total during a 130-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Just as they were looking to accelerate, legspinner Rehan Ahmed accounted for both wickets in quick succession to stifle any hopes of a spectacular finish to the innings.
Ahmed was the best bowler with 3-55, while Singh (2-33), Finch (2-39) and Sharma (2-56) took two wickets apiece.
Jediah Blades gave West Indies hope of defending their total when he dismissed Thomas Rew for 13 with 31 runs on the board.
However, England strung together partnerships thereafter with all of their batters making meaningful contributions.
Ben McKinney and Ahmed both scored 37, before falling to Goolie and wrist spinner Vitel Lawes respectively, to leave England 129 for three in the 22nd over.
Lawrence and James Rew then took the game away from the Windies during a partnership of 65 that put them in the driver’s seat at 194 for three in the 30th over.
When Athanaze bowled Rew with his part-time off spin for 31, Lawrence and Ben Mayes, who scored 43 not out, shared an unbroken stand of 80 runs to carry their side to victory with 33 deliveries remaining.
Lawrence hit eight fours and three sixes in his knock, while Mayes struck two fours and one six in his 47-ball innings.
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