England’s reply gives comfortable lead

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 23

England’s reply gives comfortable lead

NZPA-ReuterSt John’s, Antigua England found their batting form with a respectable 315 for five to take a comfortable lead in their first innings against the Leeward Islands in Antigua. England’s second day performance with a 71 from the vice-captain, Mike Gatting, was in reply to the Islanders’ 236 first innings scored on Saturday. Gatting’s 222y 2 hours at the wicket produced two sixes and five fours and followed his 77 against the Windward Islands last week. The openers, Graham Gooch and Tim Robinson, set the early base with a partnership that contributed more than a century, but Robinson was lucky not to be dismissed when an easy catch was

dropped when he was at 24. Gatting teamed well with Allan Lamb (64), mixing defensive play with some superb boundaries on a placid wicket. lan Botham was also hitting out well for his 30 not out and Paul Downton has yet to get off the mark. The skipper, David Gower, was the only disappointment, falling for five, but otherwise the batsmen’s confidence was boosted after suffering a seven-wicket defeat in their first match of the Caribbean tour against the Windwards. Gower and Lamb were dismissed cutting at the off-spinners. Gower was caught at slip off Dean Thompson while Lamb, who slammed four fours and a six in his innings, was

caught at the wicket off Guishard. Thompson and Guishard were rewarded for their long spells at bowling with two for 75 from 28 overs and two for 82 from 33 overs, respectively. LEEWARD ISLANDS First innings 236 ENGLAND First innings G. Gooch c Otto b Thompson 53 T. Robinson c Benjamin b Guishard 68 D. Gower c Guishard b Thompson 5 M. Gatting c Richardson b Ferris 71 A. Lamb c Simon b Guishard 64 I. Botham not out ... . 30 P. Downton not out . . . 0 Extras (blO, lb 6, nbB) 24 Total five for 315 Bowling.— Ferris 21, 1, 74, 1; Benjamin 21, 7, 48, 0; Guishard 33, 5, 82, 2; Thompson 28, 2, 75, 2; Otto 5,1, 16, 0.