Well, six down now and still to get to 150 so predictions above of 200 might be on - I would suggest nearer 220 more probable. Not good enough on what looks like a 350-par wicket.
I can’t see a WI win from here, but should be a cracking day’s cricket tomorrow!
It’s that strangulating bowling line-up that does the damage. Even during a lull the WI can’t add too much to the total. All the while they are facing exposure to more and more balls with little return and the ever-present chance of one of five bowlers turning it on.
If the batters were consistently dependable I think we’d be looking at Australia 2000-2004 type of dominance.
Yes,200 was optmistic. Samuels moving through the gears now: scored 25 between lunch and tea - now on 71. He has to make good after keeping his wicket for so long for so little, of course.
Sammy can apparently score very quickly on his day, and there might come a point where he decides to step it up. Even so, they’re a long way short of par.
Well, they just about scored par in the end. That’s the great thing about Test cricket, that one partnership can change a game.
That said, if anything the pitch is slowing down and getting softer rather than harder in the sun as you might expect so would fancy England, if they bat sensibly over the next two or two and a half days ideally, to be able to put together a big total.
Game on!
Some lovely batting today, I was purring along with Geoffrey B. as I watched the highlights.
Can England find their focus again in the morning? if so, and they negotiate the new ball then it could be a long…long day for our Caribbean guests.
I’m very happy for Strauss and immensely pleased that the Windies seem to be on an upward curve, that’s got to be good for the game.
(Incidentally, is there any finer sound in sports commentating than the amiable rumble of Tony Cozier and Sir Viv Richards?)
A bit disappointing today to see England lose their last eight wickets for about 160, but on the other hand that modest lead has left West Indies only a handful of runs ahead with six out including Chanderpaul between tea and the close. Anyone expect 14 wickets to be going down today? :eek: Sadly for WI, that one session’s more or less settled the series. If Sammy and Samuels are going to repeat their first-inning heroics, they’ll have to do it against fresh bowlers in the morning.
Statistics: One more wicket for Bresnan will see him averaging four per match, and today’s innings has taken his batting average past 40 - highly respectable for a number 8.
Oh dear, WI 6 for 61 overnight, it’s pretty much all over bar the shouting. The relative ease with which England are accounting for WI, compared to how we struggled against them, bodes ill for us for the next Ashes, I have to say.
England win by 9 wickets. A solid performance all round.
What do you reckon, stick with the same team for the third test? Is there room for Finn?
Would be harsh on anybody that lost his place - but if Finn was going to come in it could only be for Broad surely?
Nice problem to have. Personally I would leave well alone, unless Broad maybe has a niggle and could be pursuaded to stand aside without upsetting the team.
“Mind the windows Tino.” Thanks Flintoff. :rolleyes:
Best and Ramdin have now put on 133 this morning, and I wouldn’t bet against Best making 100. We could lose from here, as the follow on target is 150 behind for a three or four day game.
Sadly, Best went 5 runs short of his century. We could lose from here, 3 wickets down and still another 225 required to avoid the follow-on. It’s 150 rather than 200 behind for a four or three day match.
Well the Windies can’t lose from this position, but I’ve said that before in this series.
Amazing performance by Best. Even as an Englishman I’m sorry he didn’t get the hundred.