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Simmons aiming for a double

Trinidad and Tobago batsman Lendl Simmons is hoping to complete a double-century against England in St Kitts

Cricinfo staff
30-Jan-2009

Adrian Barath scored 132 on the first day against England XI © Getty Images
 
Trinidad and Tobago batsman Lendl Simmons is hoping to complete a double-century against England on the second day of the tour match in St Kitts. Simmons added 262 runs for the second wicket with Adrian Barath and finished the first day unbeaten on 171. Barath fell to Kevin Pietersen after scoring 132.
"I am really delighted to get a score against England and I am looking to get even more tomorrow," Simmons said. "I have my eyes on a double-century, which would be the second [double-century] of my career."
Simmons, nephew of the former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, played eight ODIs and a Twenty20 international between December 2006 and July 2007. "It was not easy out there but I decided I would work hard to get a good score. I decided to bat time rather than bat runs. I knew once I stayed there for a long time, the runs would come."
Simmons said the runs would help him get back into the reckoning for the West Indies team. "We are in a very good position and we will look to get more and more," he said. "I am looking to put my name in the frame and get into the West Indies team again. This is a start and I will look to capitalise."
Eighteen-year-old Barath, who was part of the West Indies Under-19 squad at last year's World Cup in Malaysia, said he was happy to get a good score in his first outing for West Indies A. "The pitch was good but batting was not easy. The England bowlers were very good. They were patient and we had to be patient as well.
"Simmons and I had to really battle. We knew we had to fight and we decided to put our heads down and we made sure we did not give it away. My goal overall was to bat the entire day. Unfortunately I missed out on my goal. I wanted to be there at the end, but I managed to get a good score and put the team in a good position."