Hildreth stars for England Lions

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

James Hildreth led an England Lions recovery with his second hundred of the season against Windward Islands in the WICB regional first-class championship yesterday.

The Lions' captain scored an even 100 in his side's first-innings total of 280 for eight at the close on the opening day of the sixth-round match at Windsor Park.

He added 90 for the fifth wicket with Jonny Bairstow before he was dismissed on the stroke of tea, following a 210-minute innings that included 13 boundaries from 143 deliveries.

Bairstow, son of the late, former England wicketkeeper/batsman David Bairstow, supported with 40, Chris Woakes was not out on 37, Adil Rashid made 35, and James Harris got 22.

Left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin has been the most successful Windwards bowler so far with three wickets for 66 runs from 33 overs, and Mervyn Matthew snared two for 32 from 18 overs.

Nelon Pascal set the Lions back early, when he bowled Craig Kieswetter in the first over for a duck before Mervyn Matthew added to the pain, when he Andrew Gale was caught behind for 13.

Momentum

Hildreth joined Jimmy Adams half-hour into the morning, and gave his side momentum before two wickets in the second hour left them wobbling on 78 for four at lunch.

Keswick Williams had Adams caught behind for 14, and fellow newcomer Dalton Polius, bowling off spin, removed James Taylor for seven.

After the interval, Hildreth and Bairstow added beef to the visitors' total with their partnership, but Mathurin removed them both in the last half-hour before tea.