Woakes century propels England Lions

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Chris Woakes hit a defiant, unbeaten century to guide England Lions to a competitive 340 for 9 at stumps on the first day against Jamaica at . England chose to bat but got off to a poor start, losing their first three wickets with just 41 runs on the board. Jimmy Adams and Andrew Gale were dismissed off successive deliveries in the 19th over. Craig Kieswetter followed soon after and when captain James Hildreth fell to leave England at 103 for 5, after an attacking 40, the visitors looked in danger of folding up cheaply. James Taylor (41) and Ben Stokes calmed the nerves with a steady 58-run partnership. Taylor's dismissal brought Woakes to the crease, and he and Stokes combined to seize the momentum with a run-a-ball 71-run partnership. Stokes was dismissed by Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert for 63, but Woakes remained firm to reach his third first-class century. He ended the day on 104, in the company of No. 11 Nathan Buck, who survived 16 deliveries before the close of play. Lambert used seven bowlers, with six of them among the wickets.