12th over

Cook wakes from his scoring slumber and slams a square cut to the cover-point fence. Am I jumping the gun in saying that England must have their sights set on a hefty first innings total? As it is panning out, England will be pretty happy with losing the toss and being asked to bat.
44-0

11th Over

Chris Gayle brings himself on for a bit of trundle. In typically casual fashion he slings a couple of balls down the leg-side, but when he drops short outside off stump Strauss pierces the gap in the covers and brings up his 6th boundary of the morning.
40-0

10th Over

Cook loves a dot ball. He plays out another maiden, looking pretty confident in the process. My colleague Neil is already excited about watching Owais Shah, he has posters of the Middlesex man all over his wall and even keeps a picture of Shah in his wallet- I think he’s a good player, but that’s going a bit far Neil!
36-0

9th Over

Strauss pushes nicely down the ground for a pressure-relieving boundary, before slapping a full toss to the mid-wicket boundary. The outfield is quick, the boundaries are short and the pitch appears to be pretty conducive to stroke play…Chris Gayle looks about as worried as a man with dreadlocks and sunglasses can do.
36-0

8th Over

Has the England captain has a slice of luck there? He tries to duck a Darren Powell bouncer but cannot get out of the way in time and the ball balloons to third slip. There is a huge appeal and Powell stands dramatically only yards from Strauss, but, crucially Rudi Kurtzen remains unmoved.
My colleague Dan, who is in the office with me, immediately shouts ‘glove, that was off the glove, and you know what, he is probably right, replays suggest that the ball probably brushed the glove before striking Strauss’s shoulder.
27-0

7th Over

Maiden over from Taylor. Cook shows both patience and concentration in defending and leaving well.

27-0

6th Over

Darren Powell is into the act early, replacing Fiddy at the Pavilion End. Powell is greeted by an Andrew Strauss square-cut that races to the short boundary, square of the wicket on the off-side. A couple of singles from the rest of the over consolidate England’s good start and already the pitch is starting to look quite flat.
27-0

5th Over

Nick from Bournemouth has some scathing words about Cook and...Me!

"Cook looks like you...scared of fast bowling"

Thanks Nick. Ally Cook shows that he is no scaredy cat by rocking back and pulling Taylor through the leg-side for an impresive boundary. So far so good for England.

19-0

4th Over

Now it’s ‘Fiddy’s’ turn to fire it up! He starts to encroach on the 90mph mark, mind he also gets too close to Cook’s pads and the Essex opener tucks him to fine leg for a couple and then again for a single. The over ends in a real mix-up. Strauss is left at the mercy of Darren Powell’s throw from square leg, but like a true fast bowler, his throw isn’t the most accurate and Strauss scramble to safety.
15-0

3rd Over

Jerome Taylor is absolutely charging in here. Ally Cook lets a couple of balls go past which carry nicely through to Ramdin and then is totally rattled by a short ball that whistles past bat, gloves, shoulder and goes through to the keeper. A nervous prod which is mis-fielded at gully allows Cook to reach the safety of the non-strikers end.
12-0

2nd Over

Fidel Edwards charges in for the second over of the day. Play is delayed for a while as a couple of the ground staff open a door in the sightscreen and drag a couple of bin inside- who knows where that door leads to. Strauss is unperturbed and clips the second ball off his legs for four and cover drives nicely to the boundary off the final ball of the over.
11-0

1st Over

Already it seems the pitch is offering more carry and bounce than was evident at Sabina Park or the eight balls we saw at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground. Captain Strauss gets England underway with a single into the covers, while Cook eases his nerves by pushing Taylor through the vacant mid-on region for two.
3-0.

3rd TEST WELCOME

After all the palaver at the Sir Vivian Richards Grounds, we’ve moved to the St John’s Recreation ground for what is now the Third Digicel Test between West Indies and England.
West Indies have won the toss and decided to bowl.
England have brought in Harmison for Ryan Sidebottom and more surprisingly Monty Panesar misses out and is replaced by Graeme Swann. West Indies are unchanged, and Jerome Taylor is ready to bowl the first ball of the day.

PLAY ABANDONED FOR THE DAY

What a shame, play has been abandoned for the day. Moreover it's pretty likely that will be that for the Test Match. Mikey Holding certainly thinks so.

Lively forum today, some good, some insightful and some funny comments.

With play abandoned, I'm signing off.

Olly

DELAY- 'BAD OUTFIELD'

Discussions are taking place between Strauss, Gayle and the two umpires. Nasser Hussain has snuck onto the outfield to do a 'beach report', cheeky so and so.


Mark from Derby gets in on the beach banter:
"Why is Fidel Edwards not bowling in havianas would be far more suitable!"

No one knows what's going on here, least of all me. I've got a couple of friends out in Antigua. At about 1.30pm I was pretty jealous of them, now I'm starting to feel little bit sorry for them, only a little though.

Strauss is heading for the dressing room and so are the West Indian players, oh and Ally Cook, lets not forget him.

PLAY HAS BEEN ABANDONED FOR THE DAY.
THE MATCH REFEREE STATES THAT THE MATCH HAS NOT BEEN ABANDONED, JUST TODAY'S PLAY.
ALAN HURST TALKS ABOUT FINDING A DIFFERENT VENUE, DIFFERENT START TIMES AND THEN CRUMBLES UNDER QUESTIONING FROM NASSER AND STARTS WAFFLING ABOUT OPTIONS AND DECISIONS...

2nd Over- play resumes

We get back underway and immediately Edwards has trouble with his run up. Ian Bishop sums it up bluntly; “this is embarrassing “ and I have to agree with him, Edwards is running in with no rhythm here and in all seriousness I wouldn’t be surprised if the Umpires step in here. I'm going to stick my neck out and say this Test Match will be abandoned.

14.31pm

Tom from Wales is not to happy with Jonny's opinions on Sidebottom and Harmison. I'd imagine Adam Shantry of Glamorgan is pretty chuffed to be bracketed with Chaminda Vaas...

Sidebottom offers nothing?

Im sorry 'Jonny' but have you seen the performances for England over the last 12-15 months...

Compare Harmy and Ryan for wickets and RPO...

A left armer bringing the ball bac IN to the right hander is one of the most dangerous deliveries in world cricket...just ask the likes of Chaminda Vaas and Adam Shantry...

No beaches up north cos its too cold.

Come and get involved down south where it all happens...

Play to resume by 2.40pm

The covers are coming off, the showers have passed and it looks like we're nearly ready for some cricket. Keep the comments coming- plenty of interesting thoughts after only 8 balls of the Test Match.

14.22pm

Anonymous Jimmy Adams (West Indies & Sunbury CC) said...

Alright Neil I'm feeling your thoughts man....

"It's time for a change. I would pick Rashid, I think he presents England with an exciting option ahead of the Ashes," Chris Adams of Yorkshire CCC told BBC London 94.9.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/surrey/7887930.stm

February 13, 2009 2:19 PM

Blogger Matthew Todd said...

Just when you think West Indies cricket takes a step forward, they produce a "sand pit" for Test Cricket. I hope Ian Bell brought his bucket and spade with him!

February 13, 2009 2:16 PM

14.15pm

Oliver from Cheam has clearly been watching too much XXXGOLD BEACH Cricket- I'm not having a go, it's a brilliant game:

"If its beach cricket we are playing, surely we should have Darren "the human pie" Gough and Adam Hollioake in the team"

14.12pm

Neil in London/Delhi

"Bell has gone", I feel this was a formality.
I think the humiliating defeat, gave England the perfect opportunity to blood arguably the most exciting new talent in English Cricket - Adil Rashid.

The question that needs answering, is "Why have we taken him on this tour?"
If it is with one eye on the Ashes, how do we expect him to have gained any worth while experience at this level before then?

Admittedly England do not want another "Chris Scofield situation" but surely a month of carrying drinks doesnt do the boy much good either.

It would be good to hear other's views on this topic?

2nd Over- DELAY RAIN

Fidel Edwards nearly cleans up Strauss with his first ball. The second is driven to mid-on for a single, but before the third can be delivered a shower sweeps across the ground and players and umpires alike dash for cover.

14.07pm

Jonny from South Shields is having his say on England's bowling attack.

"Sidebottom being preferred to Harmy is a complete joke. Anyone can run in and bowl gentle away swingers at 77 mph. He offers nothing.
And Harmy is from Ashington, right next to the beach so adaptability to the conditions would be awesome. No beaches in west Yorkshire Ryan".

1st Over

Andrew Strauss faces up to the first over from England’s nemesis at Sabina Park, Jerome Taylor. Commentators all round the world are having a field day as Taylor pulls out of his first delivery because of the sandy run-up before missing his run up and bowling a ’23 yarder’ which Strauss clips to fine leg for two. England’s skipper picks up two more through mid-on, but the real issue here is the run-ups. On closer inspection the approach to the wicket really does look hazardous and in no fit state for Test Match cricket and as such Taylor goes round the wicket. Strauss takes a single to cover, leaving Cook to face the final ball of the over- a strangled appeal for caught behind down the leg-side is waved away by Umpire Harper.

13.47pm

"Thank God Bell has gone. Come on let's play in the sand".

Tom from Wales is obviously happy to see the back of Bell. Let me know your thoughts on the day's play via facebook or text.

The pitch

Looking forward to seeing England have a bat here, by all accounts the outfield is pretty ‘sandy’ and the pitch is expected to play pretty well, if a little on the slow side. David Gower wishes Shah ‘well’, which is really nice of him, before suggesting that it will be a game of shorter run-ups because of this ropey outfield, meanwhile Botham takes the opportunity to kick at the ‘desert’, suggesting the game could well be called of because of the state of the tired looking terrain.

The Toss

I’m delighted to tell you that Owais Shah gets his chance at number three and not before time either. Ian Bell makes way for the Middlesex man, while James Anderson replaces Steve Harmison.
West Indies have won the toss and Chris Gayle fancies a bowl. So England immediately have a chance to banish their batting demons.Ryan Hinds replaces Xavier Marshall for the hosts.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to LIVE over-by-over coverage of the Second Test between the West Indies and England from Antigua. I'm not actually in Antigua, but like you, I wish I was. Both TMS and Sky Sports are re-running England's disastrous second innings at Sabina Park. I’m re-running Edgbaston 2005 in my head. Come on think positive!

68th Over, Flintoff

Flintoff has demanded another over at Gayle signalling that he fancies his chances against the left-hander. And that looks like an inspired decision as Flintoff strangles Gayle down the leg-side!! But WAIT... Gayle shakes his head an refers it instantly. Fair enough to the Windies skipper, it took a big chunk of trouser and thigh pad, but as far as I can see, no bat. Let's see what the third umpire makes of this. The decision is overturned. Umpire Tony Hill has had three decisions overturned now...hmmm. KP seems to find it all very amusing. Great follow-up from Freddie troubling Gayle yet again. That will be the end of Freddie's spell the end of Botham in the commentary boc and for the moment, the end of my stint on Text Commentary.

192-1

67th Over, Sidebottom

Sarwan pushes at a ball outside off stump. Sidebottom goes up for a caught behind and like the rogue that he is, stands in the middle of the pitch perhaps suggesting that it may be worth a referral- I can tell you Ryan, it wasn't. Sarwan elegantly drives through the covers to end a run of over 20 consecutive dots. Big LBW appeal...more thoughts of a referral AND THEY'VE GONE FOR IT! For me that's a bit rash, clearly pitched outside leg, lets see. They've changed their minds, no referral. Pitched outside leg anyway.

192-1.

66th Over, Flintoff

Long spell this for Fred in this heat, I hope his side is holding up OK! He's showing no signs of letting up though and continues to test Gayle on and around his off-stump. I can't help but think that Gayle is just seeing Freddie off here- especialy now he's seen Monty warming up! 'Sir Ian' begins lecturing about Monty's lack of progress in recent times, David Gower can be heard snoring at the back of the commentary box.
Great efforts from Flintoff, think that will be his lot for this spell, indeed Struass pats him on the back as if to say 'well done big lad, hold it there'.

190-1

65th Over, Sidebottom

Sidebottom is getting the ball to move a little herre, but it is more wobble than swing or seam. Regardless, it's enough to create a little doubt in Sarwan's mind and all of a sudden England are looking a bit more likely to force a breakthrough. Sidebottom and Flintoff are certainly England's most potent partnership as they are both so adept at building pressure. That's another maiden. Good stuff this.

190-1

64th Over, Flintoff

Prior is having to stand fairly close here. Although Flintoff is building up a decent head of steam, the ball is carrying through at ankle height. As I speak the big Lancastrian gets one to fly past the outside edge of Gayle at wasit height. And again, a repeat dose followed up by a stare and a rye grin.! He's not the luckiest bowler Flintoff. Suddenly the crowd comes to life, as does England's slip cordon as Strauss manages some gentle applause.
A probing maiden.

190-1

63rd Over, Sidebottom

Take a blow Harmy. The long-haired left-arm swinger that is Ryan Sidebottom takes the ball and unleashes several practice deliveries at a petrified looking Monty at mid-on. Sidebottom is right on the money with his first three deliveries -suprised he didn't start this morning to be honest. Sarwan unleashes his favourite cut stroke slapping the last ball of the over through the covers for two.

Solid start from Sidebottom. West Indies are only 128 runs behind now and we haven't even mentioned Chanderpaul yet.

190-1

62nd Over, Flintoff

Ohh, unlucky Fred. Gayle edges along the ground through the slips. Michael Holding tries to suggest that he opened the face there, but I'm not too convinced. Flintoff replies by going past Gayle's outside edge-not for the first time this morning. Sir Ian Bosham as Tony Cozier just called him, launches into a monologue about how Flintoff has carried the attack for a long time...he's like a broken record.
Good over from Freddie that.

188-3

61st Over, Harmison

Come on 'Big (H)Army)', lets fire it up! Oop, the camera man has only gone and spotted Darren Gough in the crowd! The former Yorkshire terrior and England legend is sunning himself, seemingly on his own. Only a leg-bye off that over, making that a maiden for Harmison.

184-1

60th Over, Flintoff

Russell from Southall sounds like quite the motivator; "lets get some wickets" he enthuses via e-mail. You can't fault Flintoff's effort here, he beats Gayle outside the off-stump and nearly forces Sawran to play-on, cramping him for room with some late in-swing. Sarwan has looked class today and ruins a good over by crunching an drive past the despairing dive of Sidebottom at mid-off.

183-1

59th Over, Harmison

Sarwan punches classily off the back foot picking up two, he really is strong in that arc between backward point and cover. Harmy then resorts to the leg-stump line and is turned to fine-leg for an easy one. Am I the only one hoping that Harmy might find the pace to start roughing the batsmen up a little bit? Sarwan finishes a productive over, cutting Harmison for two more.
6 from the over- warm up Ryan!
178-1

58th Over, Flintoff

Flintoff is certainly getting the ball to reverse here. Trouble is, the pitch is so placid that Gayle and Sarwan have got time to adjust to the moving ball. Flintoff changes his angle to the left-hander, bowling over the wicket and goes past Gayle's outside edge twice in succession. Close, but no cigar.

172-1

57th Over, Harmison

Harmison is wided for a bouncer that barely clears Sarwan's ducking head. Other than that, the Durham paceman has opted for a leg-side line to Sarwan is easily picked off for a single. Gayle then uses a bit of width to steer the ball through the vacant 4th slip region for the first boundary of the morning, raising the 150 partnership in doing so. Well batted lads.

171-1

56th Over, Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff of Lancashire, England and now the Chennai Super Kings steams in to bowl the second over of the day. Flintoff demonstrates his $1.55 million value, bowling a few rare dot balls at Chris Gayle before the Windies skipper takes a single to deep point. Sarwan takes a cheeky single to mid-on, cheeky because he only decided to run when he saw the ball had gone to Monty Panesar; the batsmen complete an easy run. 2 off the over.
165-1

55th Over, Harmison

Gayle is immediately on his way, tucking Harmison off his hips for two, before trotting through for a single off the second ball of the over. Encouraging signs for Harmison as he seems to be reversing the ball back into the right-handed Sarwan- mind you, the pitch still looks as flat as a pancake.
163-1

Welcome

Hello and welcome to this LIVE coverage of Day 3 of the 1st Test between West Indies and England in Jamaica. We'll be bringing you updates by the over, feel free to e-mail me or facebook me with your opinions and messages and I'll get them posted. It's pretty warm out in Jamaica and the home side will resume on 160/1 with Sarwan unbeaten on 74 and Gayle returns to the crease with 71 to his name.

KP lets his bat do the talking

All eyes were on Andrew Strauss as he began his tenure as full-time England captain. But looks can be deceiving and although the sun-glassed scattering of spectators and media types appeared to be looking at Strauss, behind the shades they were secretly keeping their efforts on a former England captain, Kevin Pietersen. No longer captain, but still the IPL’s hottest pick, Pietersen has not been allowed a moment’s peace since he returned from his much documented African Safari holiday.
At the fall of the England’s wicket, Pietersen launched himself from his dressing-room seat and set off for the middle like a Jamaican sprinter. Still he had time to poke fun at Chris Gayle’s beard on his way to the crease, although Gayle would have been well within his rights to allow himself a snigger at Pietersen’s unshaven appearance. Having easily negotiated his first ball, he whipped the second to square leg and at once set off on his customary scurry to get off the mark; although he is no Usain Bolt, Pietersen is the master of the ‘Red Bull dash’ and fortunately for Ian Bell who encountered a large patch of treacle on his way to the other end, Shiv Chanderpaul chose to throw wildly at Pietersen’s end.
Suitably relaxed after getting off the mark, Pietersen quickly showed why he is so adored by fans and so feared by opponents around the world. Flicking, whipping and showing a clear preference for the leg-side, ‘KP’ also unfurled a couple of classic straight drives which left Geoffrey Boycott purring in the Test Match Special box. Bell, who himself had started positively, chose to stand back and admire as Pietersen made the West Indian pace attack look like the local net bowlers he had mercilessly been basing in the lead up to the game. When Pietersen bats well he stamps his authority on the game and although he was subdued in the overs either side of the lunch break, the crowd were beginning to become hypnotised by the ease with which England’s premier player was batting.
The introduction of spin slowed Pietersen a little, particularly the variation that Sullimen Benn offered. Pietersen looked insulted when Nasser Hussain suggested that Benn had been ‘all over him’, responding quickly; “Was he? Sure, he turned a few, but I played the line, I was very happy facing him”. This confidence was reflected not in the session immediately after lunch when he and Paul Collingwood wielded only 23 runs in 17 overs, but in the period after tea when he launched a solo counter-attack.
With Andrew Flintoff seemingly prepared to block well into the Third Day, Pietersen took it upon himself to take the attack to the home side. He took a distinctly under par Fidel Edwards for a handful of boundaries before turning his attention back to Benn. In the past Englishmen have come to the Carribbean with their dreams haunted by 6ft 5 West Indian quicks rather than 6ft 5 left-arm spinners, and although Strauss and co have probably not lost any sleep over the threat of Sullimen Benn, he produced a fantastically controlled and at times threatening spell, sending down 33 overs collecting 2-64.
Pietsersen began the 66th over by smashing Benn down the ground for a dismissive boundary. He followed that up by clobbering the lanky spinner over his head for a one-bounce four, by now no-one was in denial, the whole ground was watching Pietersen. When the following ball was swatted over mid-on for the first maximum of the game to take KP to 97, the crowd were going wild, the dressing room were on their feet and IPL chiefs were rubbing their hands with glee. But alas, the master was the architect of his own demise. Speaking after the day’s play he said “that’s the way I play”, but truth be told, this was an error of judgement, an ill advised shot which ballooned in the air before being safely pouched by Dinesh Ramdin; though he isn’t the first and won’t be the last to perish trying to reach his century in style.
A weak dismissal yes, a weak innings, certainly not. After all that had happened, this was the ideal response, despite his penchant for cheesy press conferences and clichéd interviews, KP must continue to let his bat do the talking.

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

33.1 Gayle to Pietersen, swept fine from outside off, TWO runs.
33.2 Shapes to sweep, but blocks.
33.3 LBW appeal, a bit hopeful that.
33.4 Big sweep and its in the air...but lands between the two fielders on the leg side. Fortune favours the brave in this instance. ONE run.
33.5 Clipped through mid-wicket for TWO runs.
33.6 Blocked. Some excitement. 5 from the over.

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

32.1 Benn to Collingwood, pushed to cover, no run.
32.2 Well bowled, well defended.
32.3 Sharp turn, he's still getting it to spin while bowling at a fiar pace for a spinner
32.4 Quicker ball. That was quick- Shahid Afridi-esque. Thuds into the pads.
32.5 Defended to cover.
32.6 Another dot, another maiden. Great stuff from Benn.

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

31.1 Gayle to Collingwood, Blimey! That spun a long way! More like Murali than Chris Gayle.
31.2 That one went straight on...
31.3 Big appeal... Not out...They've referred this. Not sure whether they're looking for LBW or the catch, but I think he got outside the line of off stump. Replays confirm that he did indeed get outside the line. Third Umpire gives it NOT OUT.
31.4 Shouts of catch it, but the ball went straight down
31.5 Well stopped at leg slip.
31.6 Wooo! First runs after lunch turned to square leg by Collingwood.

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

30.1 Benn to Pietersen, quicker ball, defended.
30.2 Blocked.
30.3 Pietersen looking to break te shackles, driven to extra cover.
30.4 Left alone. Great control from Benn
30.5 Half think about a single, no run there though.
30.6 Driven to mid-off, but no run again. 24 consecutive dots since Lunch.

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

29.1 Gayle to Collingwood, blocked on the front foot.
29.2 Goes back and turns to leg, no run.
29.3 Thuds into the pad, more spin for Gayle
29.4 Another dot.
29.5 Good start from Gayle after lunch here.
29.6 Big turning off-break, well defended. Third maiden after lunch.

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

Sullimen Benn will continue from the George Headley Stand End.

28.1 Benn to Pietersen, no run, sharp turn and left alone.
28.2 Well bowled, defended.
28.3 Good start this from the West Indian spinner, another dot..
28.4 Defended well out in front of him
28.5 Oi! Plays and misses, lovely delivery.
28.6 Casually left. Maiden

Live Text Commentary. Day 1. Session 2.

Hello and Welcome to coverage of West Indies vs England in Jamaica. West Indies will have enjoyed their Lunch having reduced England to 73-3 in the morning session. Paul Collingwood will join the impressive Kevin Pietersen, who resumes unbeaten on 30.

Gayle to begin after Lunch in his shades.
73-3

27.1 Gayle to Collingwood, no run, defended
27.2 no run, defended
27.3 no run, that kept a little low
27.4 no run, defended
27.5 no run, defended again
27.6 no run, defended to leg.

1st Test, 1st session, West Indies v England.

Ian Bell was dismissed in the penultimate over before lunch to give West Indies the advantage on Day One in Jamaica. England finished the first session on 73-3 after winning the toss and electing to bat on a pitch that looked more like a wicket that might be found on the subcontinent. Indeed the wicket showed early signs of wear with both Gayle and Suliemen Benn getting the ball to turn sharply.

It is not often that spinners are able to operate in tandem in the Caribbean, but Benn and Gayle both showed enough control to suggest they have plenty of bowling to do for the remainder of the Test, but it was the West Indian seamers who did the early damage reducing the visitors to 31-2.

Andrew Strauss’s first act as permanent Test Captain was to win the toss and elect to bat, but his first innings as full-time skipper was not so memorable as he feathered a catch to Dinesh Ramdin off the bowling of the impressive Jerome Taylor. Strauss had been anything but convincing in his short stay, surviving a simple chance to third slip and looking uncertain outside his off stump.

Alistair Cook proded and poked defensively for 20 deliveries before he slapped a mistimed pull shot straight to mid-on in Darren Powell’s second over.

Ian Bell, who retained his place in the side ahead of Owais Shah, immediately looked in fine touch, driving well down the ground and punishing the bowlers when they strayed too straight. Kevin Pietersen made an equally impressive start to his innings, playing one particularly memorable on-drive off the bowling off Fidel Edwards, who went wicketless in the morning session.

Bell and Pietersen were both troubled by the left-arm spin of Benn, who at 6ft 5, was getting considerable turn and bounce and using his quicker ball to great effect. The score had reached 71-2 when Bell, who is often criticised for failing to convert starts, went back to a good length ball from Gayle and was sharply taken by Devon Smith at first slip. Bell’s dismissal will doubtless trigger the calls for Owais Shah’s inclusion, but in the immediate future, England will look to Pietersen and Paul Collingwood (1*) to bat them towards a competitive first innings total.