Charles grabs five as Root powers England

Off-spinner Bryan Charles.

CAVE HILL, Barbados,  CMC – Off-spinner Bryan Charles claimed five wickets as CWI President’s XI pushed touring England on the opening day of the two-day tour match at 3W’s Oval here yesterday.

The tourists were dismissed at the close for 317 with the 23-year-old Charles claiming five for 100 from 25 overs.

Twenty-year-old speedster Chemar Holder ended with three for 67 while fellow seamer Alzarri Joseph, picked in the 13-man squad for the first Test, claimed a single wicket from 14 overs.

Captain Joe Root shone with a run-a-ball top score of 87 while all-rounder Ben Stokes struck 56 and Chris Woakes, an unbeaten 39.

Opener Rory Burns made 35 while Moeen Ali got a start failed to build on his 21.

The home side made a strong start when they removed opener Keaton Jennings (10) and the dangerous Jonny Bairstow (4) cheaply.

Jennings was taken at short leg by Vishaul Singh off Joseph while left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer removed Bairstow to a catch at the wicket.

Root, however, stabilised the innings by anchoring two successive half-century stands. First, he put on 72 for the third wicket with Burns, who faced 70 balls and counted three fours before falling lbw to Holder.

Root then added a further 69 for the fourth wicket with Stokes, a stand which saw England dominate the second session to be 202 for four at tea.

The right-handed Root struck 12 fours and two sixes in nearly two hours at the crease before perishing to a catch at mid-wicket by Sunil Ambris off Charles.

Stokes, who belted seven fours and a six off 97 balls, posted 42 for the fifth with Moeen but was sixth out, holing out to mid-wicket off Charles.