Lawrence century seals series as England Lions crush Windies ‘A’ hopes
Key Points(5)
- Dan Lawrence produced an unbeaten century to headline another dominant England Lions performance, steering the visitors to a six-wicket victory over West Indies ‘A’ and an unassailable lead in their five-match One Day International (ODI) series at Warner Park on Wednesday.
- Lawrence’s composed 100 not out from 93 deliveries guided England to 274 for four in 44.3 overs, comfortably surpassing the home side’s 273 for nine with 33 balls to spare.
- The result pushed the Lions into a 3-0 series lead, leaving West Indies ‘A’ with two matches remaining and still without a victory on their white-ball tour.
- The win came despite an outstanding individual effort from Jyd Goolie, whose commanding 119 had rescued the Caribbean side from a precarious position and given them a competitive total to defend.
- Goolie rescues Windies after early collapse West Indies ‘A’ endured a disastrous beginning after choosing to bat, with Naavya Sharma bowling Mikyle Louis for a duck with only the fourth delivery of the innings.
Dan Lawrence produced an unbeaten century to headline another dominant England Lions performance, steering the visitors to a six-wicket victory over West Indies ‘A’ and an unassailable lead in their five-match One Day International (ODI) series at Warner Park on Wednesday.
Lawrence’s composed 100 not out from 93 deliveries guided England to 274 for four in 44.3 overs, comfortably surpassing the home side’s 273 for nine with 33 balls to spare.
The result pushed the Lions into a 3-0 series lead, leaving West Indies ‘A’ with two matches remaining and still without a victory on their white-ball tour.
The win came despite an outstanding individual effort from Jyd Goolie, whose commanding 119 had rescued the Caribbean side from a precarious position and given them a competitive total to defend.
Goolie rescues Windies after early collapse
West Indies ‘A’ endured a disastrous beginning after choosing to bat, with Naavya Sharma bowling Mikyle Louis for a duck with only the fourth delivery of the innings.
The situation deteriorated when Ekansh Singh removed captain Keacy Carty for 13 and Kirk McKenzie for 30, leaving the hosts struggling at 55 for three after 10 overs.
Goolie and Alick Athanaze attempted to stabilize the innings with a 48-run fourth-wicket stand, but Adam Finch broke the partnership by dismissing Athanaze for 21 before bowling Jewel Andrew for one.
At 107 for five, the home side remained in danger of being dismissed for a modest total.
Goolie, however, found an invaluable partner in Rivaldo Clarke, and the pair transformed the innings with a sixth-wicket partnership worth 130 runs.
Clarke joins Goolie in vital recovery
Goolie struck 119 from 104 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, while Clarke contributed 57 to give West Indies ‘A’ the foundation for a respectable total.
Their partnership carried the hosts out of trouble, although England regained control when leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed claimed both wickets in quick succession, preventing the lower order from building on the recovery.
Ahmed finished with three for 55, while Singh, Finch and Sharma collected two wickets apiece for 33, 39 and 56 runs, respectively.
Lawrence takes charge of the chase
England's pursuit also suffered an early setback when Jediah Blades dismissed Thomas Rew for 13, reducing the visitors to 31 for one.
But the Lions quickly established control through a series of productive partnerships, with contributions throughout the batting order ensuring that West Indies ‘A’ could not maintain the pressure.
Ben McKinney and Ahmed both scored 37 before falling to Goolie and wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes, respectively, leaving England at 129 for three in the 22nd over.
Lawrence then combined with James Rew to add 65 runs for the fourth wicket, moving the visitors to 194 for three in the 30th over and firmly positioning them for victory.
Athanaze briefly interrupted the progress by bowling Rew for 31 with his part-time off-spin, but that proved to be the final breakthrough for the home team.
Mayes finishes the job
Lawrence and Ben Mayes ensured there would be no late drama, putting together an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 80 runs to complete the chase.
Lawrence's 93-ball innings featured eight fours and three sixes, while Mayes remained unbeaten on 43 from 47 deliveries, striking two fours and a six.
Their partnership carried England across the finish line with little resistance, completing another emphatic result for the visitors and leaving West Indies ‘A’ facing the final two matches with the series already decided.
