NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC-England survived a threatening century stand between Kyle Corbin and Devon Thomas to pull off a tense 29 run win over the University of the West Indies Chancellor’s X1 in a warm-up match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here yesterday.
Middle order batsman Joe Root cracked his first hundred in an England shirt for seven months to push his side to 290 for eight in 50 overs before Corbin and Thomas stunned the visitors with a menacing 103 run partnership that threatened to take the game away.
23 year old Corbin top scored with a well played 105 while Thomas smashed 40 before he was bowled by Stuart Broad as UWI VC reached 261 for seven in 50 overs.
Adrian Barath and Chadwick Walton’s gave the UWI VC an encouraging start with a half century opening partnership.
Barath and Walton contributed 32 and 27 respectively. But James Tredwell picked up three wickets to set the regional side back as England strengthened their grip on the game.
Corbin, however, defied the odds to inch his team towards their target with a brilliant 105 from 101 balls although his effort was in vain as England’s bowlers took control at the death to secure victory.
Earlier, Root anchored the England innings with a top score of 104 not out after a brisk opening stand of 58 between Alex Hales and Luke Wright.
Wright scored 36, Hales 28 and 23 year old Root featured in two half century stands as England moved closer to the 300 run mark.
Root shared 68 for the third wicket with Ben Stokes who cracked 58 and dominated a 62 run stand for the seventh wicket with Tim Bresnan who chipped in with 17.
Akeem Dewar was the main wicket taker for UWI VC with figures of three 67 while Raymon Reifer picked up two for 46.
England play West Indies in the first One Day International (ODI) in Antigua on Friday.
