Bridgetown, March 6:

Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle bludgeoned Kenya’s bowling attack on Monday, hoping it will be a sample for long-waiting West Indies fans of what to expect at the World Cup.

The World Cup programme kicked off with four warmup matches, bringing cricket’s marquee limited-overs tournament to the Caribbean for the first time.

England trounced Bermuda by 241 runs and 1996 champion Sri Lanka coasted to a 159-run win over Scotland in lopsided matches, while top-ranked South Africa held off a determined Irish lineup thanks to Andrew Hall’s contributions with bat and ball.

Warmup matches continue on Tuesday with defending champion Australia against Zimbabwe, India against Netherlands, New Zealand playing Bangladesh and Pakistan facing Canada.

West Indies skipper Brian Lara did not bat in the 21-run win over Kenya leaving it to Samuels (100) and Gayle (75) to do the honours on their home island.

Lara said he was happy with the win over Kenya but predicted a a tougher challenge against India in the team’s last warmup match on Friday. “We’ll be playing a better team, a team where a result will have some sort of psychological advantage,” Lara said.

At Trinidad, Hall dragged South Africa out of trouble, scoring an unbeaten 67 to lift the Proteas from 91 for eight to 192. He then took three wickets to help secure a 36-run win over World Cup rookie Ireland. Ireland’s Australian-born fast bowlers did some early damage, with Trent Johnston snaring 4-40 and David Langford-Smith returning 3-30.

Langford-Smith removed Graeme Smith (9), AB de Villiers (5) and Jacques Kallis (12) to have South Africa reeling at 42 for three. Johnston chimed in with the wickets of Herschelle Gibbs (21), playing despite an injured finger, Ashwell Prince, Shaun Pollock and Loots Bosman before Hall resurrected the innings. Andre Botha top-scored with 40 for Ireland.

England, on a roll after beating Australia in the recent tri-series, overcame an unsteady start to post 286 for eight and then skittled Bermuda for 45 in 22.2 overs. Jamie Dalrymple scored 76 from 79 balls to restore England’s middle order after giant Bermudan police officer Dwayne Leverock removed Paul Collingwood caught behind and had Kevin Pietersen stumped.

“Most players got something out of the game,” said England captain Michael Vaughan, returning from a frustrating hamstring problem. “It was nice to get some of the bowlers four or five overs each.” Jon Lewis also returned from injury with figures of 3-7 from four overs, while Andrew Flintoff took 2-3 and James Anderson 2-8.

Sri Lanka got on top early against Scotland with former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya hitting four fours and five sixes as he made 77 to a 117-run opening stand with Upul Tharanga. The Sri Lankans posted 294 for seven, with Kumar Sangakkara blazing 81, then removed Scotland for 135 in 41.2 overs at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados.