England A crush Antigua

The visitors declared their second innings at 241-2 at lunch with captain Vikram Solanki retiring on 114 and Ed Joyce and Owais Shah hitting half centuries.

Set 426 to win in 55 overs, the home side crumbled for the second time. Jamie Dalrymple took 3-25 and Alex Wharf claimed two wickets as they were bowled out for 163 with 3.1 overs left. England "A" began the third day on 116-1 - a lead of 300 - and went for quick runs. Solanki and Shah had added 125 for the second wicket before the captain retired after completing his century.

Despite a 20-minute rain delay after lunch, the tourists had few problems running through the Antigua/Barbuda batting line-up again. Wharf made the breakthrough when he had Amwaa Prince caught behind and the hosts soon slumped to 85-4.

Wilden Cornwall (47) provided the only real resistance but when he was caught by Sajid Mahmood off Loudon the rest folded rapidly. It completed ideal preparations for Solanki’s men ahead of the first four-day "Test" against West Indies "A" in Antigua, which starts on Friday.

Summarised scores: ENGLAND "A" - 341/8 declare and 241/2 declared -Vikram Solanki 114 retired, Ed Joyce 50, Owais Shah 50 vs ANTIGUA/BARBUDA 157 and 163 - Wilden Cornwall 47, Jamie Dalrymple 3/26, Alex Wharf 2/22).