BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (AP) - Lendl Simmons crafted a magnificent 282 as West Indies A compiled 574-8 declared against England on day two Friday of their cricket match at Warner Park.

The tourists responded encouragingly in the final session, reaching stumps at 134-2 despite the loss of Alastair Cook for a first-ball duck. Captain Andrew Strauss was unbeaten on 59 while Ian Bell made 52.

Simmons stretched his overnight 171 to a career-best, just missing out on joining 12 other West Indians as first-class triple centurions. The lithe Trinidadian, who celebrated his 24th birthday five days ago, struck 26 fours and eight sixes off 381 deliveries. He spent nine and a half hours at the crease before he was leg before to Ryan Sidebottom, the left-arm seamer’s only wicket.

Steve Harmison, chasing a spot in the team for the first test in Jamaica next Wednesday, had a confidence-boosting day after going wicketless on day one. The fast bowler collected four of the six wickets to fall after the hosts resumed on 343-2. Harmison ended with respectable figures of 4-101 off 25.5 overs.

Fellow pacer James Anderson, who claimed 2-92, struck first midway in the opening session as Sewnarine Chattergoon was caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for 37.

Simmons brought up his second first-class double century moments later and went on to add 78 with left-hander Leon Johnson on either side of lunch.

But Harmison struck after the break as Johnson (26) deflected to Prior, and captain Darren Sammy (14) was leg before.

Simmons, the nephew of former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, was eventually sixth out at 547 after another half-century stand with wicketkeeper Devon Thomas.

Harmison accounted for Thomas (38) and Kevin McClean (10) before the hosts’ declaration came early in the final session.

Offspinner Graeme Swann, competing with left-armer Monty Panesar for the spinner’s spot in the first test, had unflattering figures of 0-160 off 41 overs.

England’s reply began badly when Cook was caught first ball in the gully off pacer McClean.

But Strauss struck nine fours off 88 balls in an accomplished half century as he and Ian Bell (68 balls, eight fours) shared a second-wicket stand of 114.

Bell was bowled by legspinner Gavin Wallace just before the close.

Kevin Pietersen ended the day unbeaten on 12.