Warrican tames England Lions on Day 1

A career-best performance from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican has put Windies A in a good position against England Lions heading into today's second day of their second unofficial Test at Sabina Park.

Warrican, who was the Man of the Match in the opening Test in Trelawny last week, claimed eight for 34 off 20 overs, as England Lions, asked to take first strike, were dismissed for 145 in their first innings.

Windies, in response, on the back of 59 from captain Kieron Pollard and 47 from John Campbell, closed on 159 for four.

Showing outstanding control, and getting the ball to bounce and turn, Warrican, who has four Tests to his name, wreaked havoc on the Englishmen, who, after losing the first Test, had started their innings promisingly.

Led by Test players Keaton Jennings and Haseed Hameed, the Lions posted 56 runs before losing their first wicket, with Warrican, who was the fifth and final bowler introduced, making the breakthrough.

Tossing the ball up, he was able to deceive Hameed through the air before wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich completed a stumping. Hameed made 23.

This brought to the crease Nick Gubbins, who after facing delivery, was also dismissed by Warrican, caught at slip by Jermaine Blackwood without scoring.

Innings top-scorer Joe Clarke then entered the crease, and along with Jennings put on 20 for the third wicket before Jennings was sent packing by off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for 28.

The 24-year-old Warrican, who claimed one for 54 and seven for 33 in the first Test, then continued where he left off, and using guile and variations was able to maintain pressure on the Englishmen.

Warrican, who last played for the Windies Test team in January 2016, in claiming another five wickets, surpassed his previous best of eight for 72.

Cornwall, who claimed a total of eight wickets in the first Test, took the other two wickets to fall. Clarke, who was last man out, was bowled by Warrican hit 56.

ELEGANT STROKES

When Windies replied, they were propelled by Powell and Campbell, who after growing in confidence, played some elegant strokes.

However, after eyeing a half-century, Campbell was dismissed caught off the bowling of in-form left-arm spinner Jack Leach with the score on 72.

The out-of-form Blackwood then entered the fray, however, after reaching six runs, he prodded to a delivery outside off stump from Leach and was caught at slip.

Off-spinner Liam Livingstone then accounted for the wicket of Shane Brooks bowled for one before Jahmar Hamilton, 17, and first match century maker, Dowrich, 20, ensured no further loss.

Livingstone has so far picked up two for 51, and Leach, two for 53.

Play is scheduled to resume at 10 a.m.