Winning start for West Indies A in England

West Indies A began their tour to England with a convincing victory over British Universities in the delightfully scenic setting of the Parks in Oxford today. The visitors were not particularly tested as they cantered to an 85 run victory.

Jamie Dalrymple, a former England Under 19 representative, won the toss and sent the West Indies A side into bat. Despite the early loss of Devon Smith, skipper Darren Ganga and Donovan Pagon punished loose bowling from the student seamers. Spinners Dalrymple, Monty Panesar and Robert Ferley - all with first-class experience - bought some control, Pansesar bowling Ganga while Pagon offered a return catch to Ferley.

Panesar struck the stumps a second time to account for Dwayne Bravo, while Lendl Simmons was well held by Matthew Banes to give Dalrymple a deserved wicket.

Excellent knocks at the death ensured the West Indies's innings did not stagnate, Keith Hibbert and Runako Morton batting with an encouraging freedom. Morton hit three fours and a six in his 57, while Hibbert's 39 was a more workmanlike innings, coming from 48 balls. A total of 225 looked a par score on a slow outfield, with a wicket which helped the spinners.

The Universities were unimpressive in response. A stream of early wickets reduced them to 64 for 5, Jermaine Lawson picking up three scalps. Michael Brown and John Francis were stubborn, while Banes tried desperately to come to terms with the track during a painstaking 11. A late flourish from Tim Murtagh and Tom Mees, who put on 38 for the ninth wicket, helped restore some pride for the students, who were finally bowled out for 140 in the 45th over.

The West Indies are on a six week tour to Britain, playing four first-class matches and a host of one-dayers. The highlight is a three day match with India at Arundel. The next match they play is against the Sri Lankans, under lights at Hove, on Wednesday. That will be a much sterner examination than offered by the students under the dreaming spires of Oxford today.