West Indies seal series with draw

West Indies A 221 and 278 for 6 (Chattergoon 107, Joseph 106) drew with England A 201 and 368 for 8 dec (Solanki 127, Read 107)
Scorecard

Centuries from Sewnarine Chattergoon and Sylvester Joseph guided West Indies A to a draw at St Lucia and secured a 1-0 series win. England A had declared overnight, setting a target of 349 in 90 overs, as they attempted to level the series.

The England attack made an impressive start, knocking over the West Indies top order with the new ball. Sajid Mahmood continued his wicket-taking form, removing Lendl Simmons and the dangerous Marlon Samuels as West Indies stuttered on 40 for 3. However Joseph, the captain, again led from the front with his second century of the short series, while Chattergoon helped him add 162 for the third wicket. England, though, had their chances to make further inroads - Joseph was dropped at short leg by Michael Yardy before he had scored.

At tea, West Indies were 187 for 3 and a repeat of their thrilling victory at Antigua in the first Test - where they chased down 365 to win by one-wicket - was on the cards. But shortly after the interval Gareth Batty removed Chattergoon and when Ryan Hinds and Patrick Browne followed, to leave West Indies 260 for 6, they opted for the safety-first route and played out the draw.

Mahmood was again the pick of the England attack, finishing with 3 for 40, but there was an encouraging performance form Stuart Broad, who joined the tour late as a replacement for James Anderson. West Indies will be heartened by the series win and especially the performance of Joseph and the bowling of Andrew Richardson. With the full side struggling in New Zealand any small success will be greatly appreciated in the Caribbean.