BECKENHAM, June 22: West Indies captain Brian Lara made 68 as his side continued their preparations for the triangular one-day series against England and New Zealand starting later this week with a 91-run win over Kent here on Monday.

West Indies overcame the frustration of seeing a 10-mile trip from their London hotel to the south-east ground take two-and-a-half hours because of traffic congestion to post 274 for eight.

Lara's fellow top-order batsman Ramnnaresh Sarwan (79) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (60) were the other major contributors on a good pitch with Kent's England medium-pacer Martin Saggers taking five for 51.

In reply Kent could only manage 183, England batsman Ed Smith making 54 while paceman Jermaine Lawson led the West Indies attack with four for 59. Left-hander Lara put on 100 for the fourth wicket with Sarwan, his 53-ball innings featuring one six and seven fours.

West Indies' traffic problems meant the start was delayed and the tourists then lost two early wickets, Saggers bowling Chris Gayle with his second ball of the day before Sarwan and Chanderpaul righted the innings.

Kent, without four of their regular top six, never looked like chasing down the West Indies' total especially with Lawson and Ravi Rampaul using the new ball to good effect.

Lawson, 22, who has spent much of the past year remodelling his suspect bowling action, was particularly hostile. However, the sight of his fellow quick Tino Best leaving the field after bowling just three overs with tendinitis in his hamstring was a concern. West Indies play Middlesex on Wednesday in their final warm-up game before their first triangular match, against New Zealand, at Edgbaston on Saturday.

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