England gets first tour cricket win

Press, 18 February 1986, Page 24

England gets first tour cricket win

NZPA-Reuter Kingston, Jamaica

Phil Edmonds spun England to the first victory of its Caribbean cricket tour on Sunday. After dismissing the Jamaican dangermen, Jeff Dujon and Cleveland Davidson, Edmonds polished off the tail to finish with four for 44 from 19 overs as England galloped to a 158-run victory, the last five Jamaican wickets tumbling for 22 runs. The only disappointment for England was the sight of the all-rounder, lan Botham, having to leave the field with a

groin strain after sending down just six overs. The talented all-roun-der is doubtful for today’s opening one-day international against the West Indies. At tea on the fourth and final day a draw had seemed the most likely result, despite a midafternoon breakthrough by the paceman, Les Taylor, who had trapped opener Franz Cunningham for seven and Mark Neita for 40 as well as catching Dujon for 31 off Edmonds.

Asked to make 327 to win after David Gower declared England’s second innings overnight at five for 177, Jamaica

had reached four for 130 and was looking reasonably comfortable, in spite of the fact that the injured captain, Michael Holding, would not be able to bat. Holding is already out of today’s international and could miss the first Test starting on Friday. A fellow Jamaican paceman, Courtney Walsh, has been called into the oneday squad and is on standby for Test duty. The end came quicker than expected. Tim Robinson took a brilliant catch to remove Laurie Cunningham for nine off the bowling of Richard Ellison, making the score 146 for five. Then Edmonds took over, dismissing James Adams for three and the defiant Davidson for 40. His spin partner, John Emburey, bowled Aaron Daley for one and, with 16 overs still to go, Edmonds wrapped up proceedings by bowling Derron Dixon for six. Earlier Botham had made his presence felt, twice striking Franz Cunningham on the forearm. The opener had to go to hospital for an X-ray. When he returned later| he was trapped leg before by Taylor for seven. England had suffered from a spate of dropped catches in the pre-lunch session but first Taylor and finally Edmonds pulled England round as it registered its muchneeded morale-boosting victory.