Date-stamped : 07 Feb94 - 10:35 England v Leeward Islands, St Johns, 3-6 Feb 94 ====> Day 1, 3 Feb 94 Tea England's bowlers enjoyed a profitable morning at St John's against the Leeward Islands the West Indian domestic champions. Andy Caddick and Chris Lewis grabbed an early wicket apiece after Leeward had chosen to bat. With Steve Watkin lending accurate support the home side were restricted to 54-2 at lunch. Lee- wards went into the four day game minus all five of their Test players batsman Keith Arthurton joining those resting after pul- ling out due to a groin strain. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 2, 4 Feb 94 HICK FAILURE TRIGGERS COLLAPSE Graeme Hick fluffed his first big test in the Caribbean and trig- gered an alarming England collapse against the Leeward Islands. Hick who is facing a make or break tour fell for a fifth ball duck to John "The Dentist" Maynard. England were 172-2 when Hick arrived as Mike Atherton and Mark Ramprakash put together a stand of 105 for the first wicket. But Hick's dismissal sparked a slump and by the close England were 231-8 and only 50 runs ahead of the Leeward Islands. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 2, MORE England, 19 without loss overnight, made steady progress through a rain-hit morning session under the influence of some discip- lined batting by Atherton and Ramprakash. They took the score to 57 at the interval and consolidated in the first part of the second session, with England's captain going on to his half- century from 127 deliveries. Anthony broke the stand by trapping Ramprakash lbw before Maynard's double strike began to tilt the balance. The big Nevi- sian paceman found the edge of Thorpe's bat with a delivery an- gled across the left-hander and had him caught behind by Ridley Jacobs. Hick, still to prove he has the technique to counter short- pitched fast bowling, lasted five deliveries, one of which was a no-ball, before driving loosely and edging a low catch to Jacobs. England were 145 for three at tea and the slump accelerated in the last session, with Weeks claiming the wickets of Atherton and Hussain, who provided Jacobs with his third catch. Matthew May- nard responded to the collapse with a bold but brief innings of 25 but Chris Lewis (6) and Ian Salisbury (3) soon perished. (REUTER) Contributed by chico (ckhan@bbn.com) ====> Day 3, 5 Feb 94 England finished within touching distance of victory after a day of total domination in St Johns. Boosted by a solid ninth wicket partnership between Jack Russell and Andy Caddick the attack then picked off the Leewards batsmen. By close of play the home side were 129-8 and still two runs behind the England first innings score. Russell finished with a creditable 56 and when England took to the field leg-spinner Ian Salisbury starred as he took four wickets. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 3, MORE Pace bowler Andy Caddick reinforced his claims for a place in England's test team against West Indies -- but this time with the bat on Saturday. Wicketkeeper Jack Russell also underlined his batting ability with a half century as the pair combined in a 70-run partnership for the ninth wicket which left England look- ing at almost certain victory against Leeward Islands on the fi- nal day. With leg-spinner Ian Salisbury claiming four for 37, Leeward Is- lands, trailing by 131 runs on the first innings, collapsed to 129-8 by the end of the third day. England, playing the opening first-class match of the tour, had resumed on a none too comfort- able 231-8, a lead of 50 against an understrength Leeward Islands team missing all five of their test players. Russell and Caddick prevented any embarrassment. Caddick produced several handsome cover drives in making 36 while a more subdued but solid Russell hit 56 before becoming the last man out. The New Zealand-born Caddick was dismissed shortly before lunch, slicing an intended drive off Hamish Anthony to point. Russell was far less aggressive, hitting just three boundaries in an in- nings spanning four hours before he pulled left-arm spinner War- rington Phillip to midwicket. Caddick then produced an excellent new ball spell when Leeward Island began their second innings and was unfortunate not to make the initial breakthrough. Instead it was Salisbury who began the collapse, claiming the scalps of both openers -- and both with long hops. First Leeward Islands captain Stuart Williams (24) pulled a short ball to wide mid-on where Caddick, diving to his right, held a spectacular two-handed catch. Then opening partner Lanville Harrigan (12) hit another inviting delivery straight to Matthew Maynard at deep backward square leg. Leeward Islands offered little opposition after that, Caddick re- turning to claim two wickets and Salisbury bagging two more. The England team will be anticipating almost a full day on the beach on Sunday. (REUTER) Contributed by chico (ckhan@bbn.com) ====> Day 4, 6 Feb 94 England duly beat Leeward Island by seven wickets on Sunday but their celebrations were dampened by an injury to paceman Andy Caddick which could threaten his place in the test side. Cad- dick, who starred with the bat as well as the ball, was taken to hospital after bowling just five overs complaining of sore shins. He was due to have X-rays amid fears he may be suffering from a stress fracture. With Caddick taking three wickets in each innings of the match and also hitting 36 in a 70-run partnership with Jack Russell that turned the game England's way, his injury could be a bad blow for the visitors with the first test less than two weeks away. Requiring only 43 to win after dismissing Leeward Islands for 173 in their second innings, England lost three wickets before reach- ing the target. Caddick was on the field long enough to take the first wicket after Leeward Islands resumed at 129 for eight and still two runs in arrears. But a stubborn 34-run last wicket partner- ship between Warrington Phillip (31 not out) and John Maynard (14) then held up England before Chris Lewis ended the innings by hav- ing Maynard leg before. England struggled to make the meagre total required. Captain Mike Atherton (9) was bowled by a delivery which kept low, Mark Ram- prakash (4) fell to a catch in the gully and Graham Thorpe hit a return catch. Graeme Hick (11 not out) and Nasser Hussain (15 not out) finally saw England past their target. Satisfying though the win was for England, victory over the current Red Stripe domestic league leaders had something of a hollow ring with all five of their test players, including cap- tain Richie Richardson, left out of the home team. (Reuter) Contributed by chico (ckhan@bbn.com)