Powers shines for England

3 August 2008

England romped to a 176-run victory over West Indies in the first blind international in the impressive grounds of King Edward's School, Birmingham.

England had built a new younger squad after the 2006 World Cup and were hoping to improve on a 5-0 series defeat to India in the Midlands last year, while the Windies were undertaking their first overseas series.

Having won the toss and decided to bat, England captain Matt Dean and Andy Powers added 263 for the second wicket as the hosts dominated.

Dean made 115, scoring heavily through midwicket, before being bowled by Tremaine Forte.

Powers kept going and the run rate moved along at at eight an over during the middle of the innings and then gradually accelerated.

Luke Sugg kept up the tempo with a rapid 27 off 17 balls.

Powers maintained the intensity of his innings scoring all round the wicket, but especially in front of and behind square on the leg side.

After playing on for 179 he returned to much vocal appreciation from a sizeable crowd.

Faced with the daunting task of amassing 392 to win at more than eight an over, West Indies were initially bogged down by a tight opening spell from Heindrich Swanepoel and Nathan Foy.

Ulric Andrews and Ricardo Manning stood out among the visiting batsmen with Cheryl Grifith adding a dogged 18 in 65 minutes to hold the innings together.

Andrews' 46 in 40 balls included five boundaries and the left-handed Manning with 49 in 68 balls played some of the most attractive shots of the day in particular a classy drive though mid-off for four.

England's support bowlers acquitted themselves well with totally blind debutant John Garbett returning impressive figures of 1-51 from eight overs.

In the remaining two matches England will be looking to improve the tidyness of their bowling.

Forte led the attack and finished with the best figures in the match with 3-60 off eight overs.

Scorecard - England Blind v West Indies Blind, 1st ODI, Aug 3 2008 (35 KB)