England suffer at the hands of Simmons and Barath

England's preparations for the opening Test against West Indies next week were spoiled yesterday, when Lendl Simmons and Adrian Barath plundered hundreds for West Indies-A on the opening day of their tour match.

England's bowlers toiled for little reward, as Simmons scored an undefeated 171 and teenaged opener Barath made 131 to lead the A-Team to 343 for two when bad light stopped play four overs early.

England were left with more questions than answers about their attack, as Simmons and 18-year-old compatriot Barath took advantage of a docile Warner Park pitch.

Simmons, who has played eight ODIs, has repeatedly been overlooked by the West Indies selectors, and the uncapped Barath is an exciting prospect highly regarded by former West Indies batting superstar Brian Lara.

England's bowlers felt the full weight of their bats when the pair from Trinidad and Tobago put on 262 for the second wicket stand.

James Anderson took the first wicket of hometown boy Kieran Powell in 20 overs that cost 67 runs, and England had to rely on Kevin Pietersen to make their second breakthrough, when he lazily cut to point and was caught in the former England captain's first over.

Before Pietersen's intervention, Simmons, whose uncle Phil played 26 Tests and 143 One-day Internationals for West Indies, reached his hundred from the first ball after tea, when he tickled his 170th ball from Graeme Swann to fine leg for a single.

Five overs later, England watched Barath raise his bat, when he reached his milestone, lofting Paul Collingwood over long-on for six.

England have only themselves to blame for their predicament, as Matt Prior put down Simmons on 159 off Anderson, armed with the second new ball.

The punishment continued for England until the umpires offered the batsmen light, as Simmons was joined by out-of-favour opener Sewnarine Chattergoon and they added 53, unbroken, for the third wicket.

Brief scores:

West Indies-A 343 for two (Lendl Simmons 171 not out, Adrian Barath 132, Sewnarine Chattergoon 24 not out) vs England.