Ramdin, Morton shine against England A

WORCESTER, England (CMC):

DENESH RAMDIN and Runako Morton slammed robust half-centuries to propel West Indies to a breezy seven-wicket win over England A in a rain-affected one-day match yesterday.

The match was scaled down to a 24-over-a-side affair after heavy overnight rain and early morning showers ruined the originally scheduled 50-over encounter at the County Ground at New Road.

Ramdin smashed 73 from 52 balls while Morton carved out a scintillating 72 from 61 balls, as West Indies successfully chased down England's 174 for six from 24 overs, to finish at 178 for three with five balls to spare.The duo shared a frenetic stand of 130 for the second wicket which set the West Indies on course for victory, after they had suffered the early loss of captain Chris Gayle who fell for eight.

Ramdin, who opened the batting Gayle, struck five fours and three sixes while Morton lashed six fours and three sixes. They launched a ferocious assault on the England A attack including several senior team one-day international bowlers.

Punishing bowlers

After Gayle fell to Anderson early, Ramdin and Morton proceeded to dominate the England attack, punishing every bowler in the attack.

Fast bowler James Anderson, who has played 16 Tests for England, sent down five overs for 25 runs, while pacer Stuart Broad, who has already played six ODIs, was taken for 41 runs from his five overs.

When Ramdin finally perished at Broad's hands, the Windies slipped momentarily when Marlon Samuels faced two balls before being run out.

But Sylvester Joseph partnered Morton to see Windies home to the confidence-boosting win.

Earlier, Vikram Solanki top-scored with 38, Will Jefferson hit 36 and Alex Gidman scored 34 to push England A to their eventual total after they won the toss and batted.

Solanki and Jefferson put on 75 for the first wicket to set the tone for the innings as opening bowlers Daren Powell and Andrew Richardson proved expensive.

Off-spinner Samuels claimed three for 16 to be the West Indies' best bowler.

Five players not included in the original West Indies squad were drafted in following the late arrivals of the one-day international players called up from the Caribbean at the end of the Test series.

Richardson, Kirk Edwards, Esuan Crandon, Ruel Brathwaite and Mali Richards all turned out for the regional side.