BROAD BOOST, BUT STONE EXITS TOUR

Stuart Broad bagged a hattrick as England’s bowlers made light work of their first assignment in the West Indies, easing to a 19-wicket day in Barbados.

Broad removed tail-end trio Alzarri Joseph, Miguel CumminsandBryanCharles just before tea during a hopelessly one-sided outing against a CWI President’s XI, adding Jermaine Blackwood after the restart for a fourth success in five deliveries.

The final scorecard made for wince-inducing reading, the hosts finishing 203-19 as their weaknesses and temperament were mercilessly exposed by pre-agreed match conditions which guaranteed each side a full day in the field.

Although Broad is hardly likely to place his hat-trick alongside the two from his Test career, against India in 2011 and Sri Lanka three years later, he will have been gratified to see his newly shortened run-up in good working order with figures of four for 19.

Ordinarily Broad’s second scalp would have ended the innings, on 128, but England carried on and picked up another nine wickets, of gradually decreasing relevance, before shaking hands on an early finish.

James Anderson showed perfect rhythm, taking four for 12 in 11 overs, while there were two apiece for Sam Curran, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes. Jack Leach took one, while Joe Root’s threewicket haul late in the day relied on some highly disinterested batting.

Satisfaction on the field was tempered by bad news off it, with pace prospect Olly Stone ruled out of the tour with a back injury.

The uncapped 25-yearold, who has suffered major fitness setbacks in his career so far, was sent for scans in Barbados after feeling stiffness in his lower left back following a net session on Sunday.

They revealed a “bone stress fracture” and further tests will be done on his return home, while selectors ponder the likes of Jamie Overton, Jamie Porter or Mark Wood as potential replacements.

The President’s XI were not intended as soft opponents, with six full internationals among their ranks as well as John Campbell, who looks set to open the batting for the Windies in the first Test.

Campbell was one of eight batsmen to be dismissed twice in the day and his efforts, one in each knock, will have done little to build his confidence ahead of his expected debut.