Habib comes to England's rescue

Aftab Habib shored up England A's defences to steer them to a position of relative safety after a disappointing mid-session at the Grenada National Stadium at Queens Park.  

At the close of play on the first day of England A's historic debut appearance in the Busta International Shield, the West Indies domestic competition, Habib was unbeaten on 41 having been at the crease for almost three hours.

Alex Tudor joined him four overs earlier when Chris Read was given out leg before to a ball from Jamaican fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, having made a steady 12.

It was Lawson's third wicket of the day and was secured with the extra movement that came after West Indies captain Richie Richardson opted to take the new ball four overs previously.

At the close, England A were 249 for six, having added 75 in the final session with Read and skipper Mark Alleyne the two late casualties.

In the 69th over, he pushed forward defensively at Kenroy Peters and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Wayne Phillips for seven.

Despite Grenadian leg-spinner Camilus Alexander and off-spinner Rodney Sooklal bowling 46 overs between them, it was the pace attack who collected all six wickets with Peters, a left-armer from St Vincent, the pick of the two quickies with three for 59.