The St. Kitts invitational team just barely managed to hang on to draw the first of two practice matches versus the England touring team on Tuesday.
The Englishmen continued from their overnight total of 181 for 1 and some of their key batsmen got well needed batting practice ahead of the first test match scheduled against the West Indies in Antigua, starting on April 13th.
Captain Alastair Cook retired out after getting to his century and Ian Bell followed suit after getting a half ton.
England declared at 379 for 6 and looked set to skittle out the local team yet again, was it not for dour resistance from Akeem Saunders and Jacques Taylor who both remained not out at the end.
Summarized scores: St Kitts Invitational Toss) 59 all out in 26.3 overs: Jason Peters 22;
Ben Stokes 3 for 10; Stuart Broad 2 for 16; Chris Jordan 2 for 19
England 379 – 6 declared (lead on 1st innings by 320 runs)
Alastair Cook 101 retired out; Jonathon Trott 72; Joe Root 64; Ian Bell 59 retired out; Ben Stokes 41
St Kitts Nevis (2nd Innings ) 76 – 7 in 35 overs trailing by 244 Akeem Saunders 20*; Leon Clarke 17; Jacques Taylor 13*
James Tredwell 3 for 35; Mark Wood 1 for 8; Liam Plunkett 1 for 12; Adil Rashid 1 for 18
Match drawn