West Indian openers provide potent force

West Indies Under-19 188-5 v England Under-19

The next generation of England cricketers struggled to lift the gloom generated by the senior side's Ashes embarrassment here yesterday in the first of two four-day Tests against the West Indies Under-19 side.

At the end of a rain-shortened first day the tourists were 188 for 5 with England's bowlers struggling to make an impact. Play started three hours late after a night and morning of heavy rain – but the West Indies soon made up for lost time.

The openers Brenton Parchment and Devon Smith set off in a way that sparked memories of the colourful cricket of days gone by after being put in to bat. They cracked 20 boundaries and a six out of the first 100 runs, which came up in only 15 overs.

At 107 Kent's off-spinner James Tredwell was brought on and the change of pace lured the left-hander Smith into chipping his first delivery into the hands of Andrew McGarry at mid-on. Smith had raced to 54 off 47 balls with 11 fours.

Thirty runs later Parchment followed, leg-before playing across the left-armer Justin Bishop, who bowled more than 30 overs and took five wickets for Essex against Leicestershire at the weekend.

Patrick Browne fell for 25 when he was bowled by Gordon Muchall while Tonito Willett followed soon after for 12, caught by Tredwell off McGarry.

Vishal Arjune went for seven when he lofted a catch to Nicky Peng off James Anderson to leave Narsingh Deonarine unbeaten on 13 alongside Omari Banks, who has yet to score.