Pratt leads fightback for Young England

Lawson... bagged three wickets

NOTTINGHAM, England, CANA:

GARY PRATT hit a commanding century to lead a bold Young England fightback against Young West Indies at Trent Bridge in their second youth "Test" yesterday.

Left-hander Pratt smashed 188 and shared century stands with captain Joe Sayers and all-rounder Kadeer Ali to help Young England reach 313 for three, in reply to Young West Indies first innings total of 416 for nine declared, when stumps were drawn on the second day.

Ali is unbeaten on 56 and Sayers scored 45 as Young England followed the example of the visiting batsmen on the hard, easy-paced pitch and brought themselves back into the match.

Pratt's century followed Young West Indies vice-captain Devon Smith's 169 on the opening day. He batted just under 5 1/2 hours, faced 260 balls, striking 29 fours and one six.

He and Sayers shared 116 for the first wicket before the Young England captain was caught in the deep off fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, who has captured all three wickets to have fallen.

Sayers batted for just over 2 1/2 hours, faced 119 balls and struck six fours, but it was Pratt's second wicket stand of 189 with Kadeer Ali which broke the backs of the Young West Indies.

The two carried Young England safely past 300 before Pratt was caught behind and Kyle Hogg, the England bowling hero, was bowled by Lawson for eight to leave the host team 313 for three before Ali and John Sadler batted through the remaining time.

Earlier, Young West Indies' innings subsided quickly after they resumed on 400 for six. Narsingh Deonarine (not Omari Banks as previously stated) tried to hold things together, but he fell for 53 after batting 204 minutes, facing 169 balls and hitting six fours.

Deonarine was one of five wickets for 88 runs from 24 overs for Hogg.

Back to Sport