Cricket: England's hit records

England U-19 561 v W Indies U-19 197-3

IT COMES to something when the West Indies need to make 412 to avoid the follow-on, but that was the daunting first target England's record- breakers set their visitors here in the second of the Under-19 Tests. Ripping opponents out on this wicket, though, is a different matter.

The West Indians are surprised at the resistance they have met since their arrival and they certainly did not appear to relish being flogged to all parts of the County Ground as they found themselves becoming acquainted with the scent of passing leather.

While the West Indians quick bowlers have hardly caused any alarms, Danny Law was earning respect. Law, a local, has barely turned 18 but is 6ft 5in and bangs the ball in hard. Sussex have him on their books and he made his Championship debut in the win here over Worcestershire earlier in the month. Yesterday, the West Indians were taking evasive action.

By then, they may have been feeling a trifle punch drunk, quite understandable after being hit over the head by some weighty English records at this level. Matthew Dowman, for example, extended his double century to 267, superseding Kevin Sharp's 260 made against the West Indies at Worcester in 1978.

Together, Dowman and Robin Cunliffe put on 266 - an English best for any wicket - before the West Indies saw the back of the Nottinghamshire left-hander at 486 for 3. Cunliffe then got himself out in the nervous 90s as England progressed to the highest total for any Under-19 side.

Which left the West Indies wondering if they had run into the hurricane season. The leg-spinner, Dinanath Ramnarine, did salvage something with five wickets, albeit at a cost of 141, and Juni Mitchum is unbeaten on 69. But a stumping and a run-out was out of order and Law took out Shivnarine Chanderpaul with a bouncer for 181 fewer than the left-hander had made in the first Test. Just another 215 to go, lads.