England thrash WI

LONDON: Australia-born Brendan Nash’s 81 couldn’t prevent England beating the West Indies by 10 wickets to claim the first Test at Lord’s with more than two days to spare.

Nash, together with Denesh Ramdin (61), did help prevent an innings defeat. The duo put on 143 for the sixth wicket after the West Indies had been made to follow-on. But by the time Nash was last man out, in a total of 256, England needed just 32 to win and so go 1-0 up in the series.

England captain Andrew Strauss (14 not out) and fellow left-hander Alastair Cook (14 not out) knocked the runs off in 41 balls. The match was a triumph for several players. Ravi Bopara made a Test-best 143 on his home debut with tailender Graeme Swann scoring career-best 63 not out. Debutant fast bowler Graham Onions took 5-38, including three wickets in an over, as the West Indies were bowled out for just 152 in reply to England’s first innings 377.