JOE Clarke was delighted to clock up a half-century for England Lions in spin-friendly conditions.

The Worcestershire batsman top-scored with 56 on the opening day of the second Test with West Indies A at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

But the hosts were on top after bowling out Lions for 145 with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican returning 8-34 and then replying with 159-4.

Clarke said: “It was tough because there were wickets falling around me.

"It was nice to make a contribution and although 145 isn’t what we’d have liked it’s something we can bowl at.

“A few chances went down at the end and they could easily be five or six down and it would be even. On a personal note it was nice to spend some time in the middle.

“When you first go in it’s quite tough. As the day went on it got a bit easier to bat. It wasn’t gripping as much or spinning.

“But throughout the day if the spinners were on the money early on it was tough to bat. Presumably it will get even tougher as the game goes on.

“It’s West Indies' day but a couple of early wickets and we’re right back in it.

"Our main focus will be to restrict their lead and then get something for them that might be tricky to chase.

“We’ve had a few weeks out here now and the wickets in the nets and for the first game at Trelawny have been very spin-friendly so we’ve had the chance to get used to it.

“It’s a lot different to home but I’ve been working hard on spin for a few winters with the Lions now.

“I see it as part of my game that’s improving and it was nice to show that.”

Meanwhile, Worcestershire's George Rhodes helped Onslow reach the CricHQ T20 Cup semi-finals with a 52-run win over Petone-Eastbourne in New Zealand.

The all-rounder top-scored with 64 and picked up two key wickets as Ewen Chatfield Trophy winners Onslow kept alive their hopes of a cup double.

Rhodes is the competition’s leading run-scorer with 165 from three knocks and has taken six wickets for 43 runs at an average of 7.17.

Onslow face Karori in the semi-finals on Thursday.