England beat Jamaica by an innings and 65 runs in the first match of their West Indies tour.

It is their first winning start to a tour for four years.

England twice bowled out Jamaica for relatively low scores on an unpredictable pitch at Montego Bay to seal the victory in three days.

Jamaica were all out for 96 in their second innings after being forced to follow on. They made 125 in the first, in reply to England's 286 for 8 declared.

England paceman Dean Headley took four second innings wickets adding to the five that he had taken in the first innings.

Headley, whose father Ron and grandfather George both played international cricket for the West Indies, ended with match figures 9-46 of 28.5 overs.

Left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell also took four second innings wickets, for 33 runs.

Jamaican left-handed opener Robert Samuels hit the second innings top score of 26 while Bryan Murphy, who led the Jamaican first innings with an undefeated 26, made 22 in the second.

Jamaica's poor batting performance is partly explained by the poor condition and uneven bounce of the match wicket.

The England Captain, Mike Atherton, decided to enforce the follow on instead of getting more batting practice because of the pitch. And when his team fielded, wicket-keeper Jack Russell made the point clear by wearing a helmet throughout Sunday's play, whether standing up to the stumps or back.

The touring Englishmen have one more first-class match, against a West Indies 'A' side, starting on Thursday, before the first Test match starts on January 29 in Jamaica.

Scoreboard

England 1st innings

• M Atherton c Murphy b Powell 28
• A Stewart c Breese b Richards 1
• J Crawley run out 25
• N Hussain c Adams b Breese 15
• G Thorpe c Adams b Murphy 89
• A Hollioake c Coley b Powell 40
• Russell c Coley b Williams 29
• A Caddick lbw b Williams 9
• D Headley not out 18

Umpires: S Bucknor, C Fletcher
 

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