England focus on opening Test after tour match stalemate

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – England will now turn their attention to Monday’s start of the opening Test against West Indies, after their two-day tour match against a St Kitts and Nevis Invitational XI finished in a draw here yesterday.

Seamer Quinton Boatswain ... took two wickets
Seamer Quinton Boatswain … took two wickets

Responding to St Kitts’ 303 made on Wednesday’s opening day, England finished 222 all out on a rain-hit day at Warner Park.

Stroke-maker Ian Bell top scored with 43, Ben Stokes struck 29 while Jos Buttler, Gary Balance and Adam Lyth all chipped in with 23. Captain Alistair Cook got 22.

Seamer Quinton Boatswain grabbed two for 34 while left-arm spinner Elvin Berridge picked up two for 52.

Lyth and Cook put on 44 for the first wicket before the left-handed Lyth was taken at first slip by Jaques Taylor off Boatswain.

Jonathan Trott failed for the second time in the game when he nicked Boatswain behind for just two, as England went to lunch at 69 for two.

 England face West Indies at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in the first match of the three-Test series.