Wednesday, February 14th, 2018

Clarke Second Top Scorer But Lions Facing Defeat In First ‘test’

Joe Clarke was second top scorer for England Lions but his side are facing defeat in the first four-day ‘Test’ against West Indies ‘A’ in Trelawny.

The Worcestershire batsman made 31 off 87 balls with one boundary and only opener Haseeb Hameed (39) achieved a higher score.

But Clarke was one of several players dismissed by spin as the Lions lost their last six wickets in their second innings for 14 runs and were bowled out for 132.

West Indies ‘A’, who gained a first innings lead of 27 despite being 114-8 at one juncture, were left a modest 106 target and reached the end of day three on 31-1.

Clarke was busy at the crease after coming to the wicket at 60-2 following a stand of 52 between Hameed and Nick Gubbins.

He was eventually caught behind – fifth out at 118 – off left arm spinner Jomel Warrican who returned the excellent figures of 23.3-12-33-7.

Warrican had also earlier made a career-best unbeaten 71 and provided superb support to a century from the experienced Test wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich as the West Indies reached 279 in their first innings.

After the loss of Gubbins in the first over after the tea interval, only Clarke and Ben Foakes were able to take the fight to spinners Rahkeem Cornwall and Warrican.