MOLINEUX, St Kitts, CMC – Andre Gale stroked a handsome half-century to lead an England Lions middle order recovery on the first day of their two-day tour match against St Kitts and Nevis here yesterday.
The 27-year-old left-hander hammered 53, an innings that ignited two key partnerships to get the visitors up to 277 all out after they won the toss and batted at the Edgar Gilbert Sporting Complex.
At the close, St Kitts and Nevis were four without loss in the four overs available at the end.
Openers Adam Lyth (45) and Jimmy Adams (24) gave the Lions a solid start, as they posted 74 for the first wicket.
The left-handed Lyth stroked three fours and sixes off just 77 balls while Adams in contrast, counted two fours in his 70 ball stay at the crease.
Both fell within two runs of each other to leave the Lions on 76 for two but Ravi Bopara (32) and captain James Hildreth (41) added 52 for the third wicket to revive the innings.
Bopara’s promising knock from 60 balls with a four and a six was ended at 128 for three to a catch by captain Steve Liburd off medium pacer Calvin Williams, to give St Kitts a look in.
However, Gale then shared two crucial partnerships to avert any danger for the Lions, putting on 61 for the fourth wicket with Hildreth and another 37 for the fifth wicket with Johnny Bairstow (14).
He cracked three fours and two sixes in an innings that lasted 87 balls and required 111 minutes.
The Lions are warming up for next week’s start of the Regional First Class Championship where they face Leeward Islands at Warner Park here in their opening fixture.
