Ton-up Powell Gives West Indians a Lift

Northampton: Kieran Powell scored the first hundred of the West Indies tour of England as they avoided an embarrassing defeat against the England Lions on Saturday ahead of next week's first Test at Lord's.

West Indies were facing the possibility of being beaten with more than a day to spare in this four-day match at Northampton.

At the start of Saturday's third day, they resumed on 28 for three in their second innings, still 166 adrift of the 341 first innings score posted by the Lions, England's 'A' side.

But Powell (108) shared successive century stands with Darren Bravo (57) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (77) and by stumps the West Indies had advanced to 377 for eight -- a lead of 183.

Chanderpaul, officially the world's best Test batsman, proved typically obdurate and kept Powell company in a stand lasting 34 overs before the latter was out approaching tea.

England are due to name their squad for the first of a three-Test series on Sunday, with Lions captain James Taylor and Jonny Bairstow, who earlier in this match made a century and a fifty respectively, in contention for a place after all-rounder Ravi Bopara tore a thigh muscle playing for Essex.

Brief scores
West Indians 147 and 377 for 8 (Powell 108, Chanderpaul 77, Bravo 57)
England Lions 341 (Taylor 118, Bairstow 50)
Status West Indians lead by 183 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 2nd T20I Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - 35th Match 36th Match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore - April 21, 10:00 GMT 37th Match - Punjab Kings v Gujarat Titans - April 21, 14:00 GMT 34th Match - Lucknow Super Giants v Chennai Super Kings at Lucknow Lucknow Super Giants won by 8 wickets (with 6 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Pakistan v New Zealand at Rawalpindi No result

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