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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| West Indies v England: first Test, day three – as it happened | West Indies v England: first Test, day three – as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 10.38pm BST | 10.38pm BST |
| 22:38 | 22:38 |
| The day belongs Jermaine Blackwood, 112 not out after a wonderful and endearingly risky innings. He says the century is a “very proud feeling” and that he “is extremely happy”. “It was pretty hard - I took a couple of blows on my hands and fingers,” he adds. He then offers Ben Stokes a little thanks for bowling the no ball from which he was caught. “He’s alright, he’s my boy,” he says with a big smile. | The day belongs Jermaine Blackwood, 112 not out after a wonderful and endearingly risky innings. He says the century is a “very proud feeling” and that he “is extremely happy”. “It was pretty hard - I took a couple of blows on my hands and fingers,” he adds. He then offers Ben Stokes a little thanks for bowling the no ball from which he was caught. “He’s alright, he’s my boy,” he says with a big smile. |
| A good day for Gary Ballance too, who has ground out an innings and - though a long way from form - is at least nearing it. The same cannot be said for Alastair Cook - who still appears to have no clue where his off stump is - and Jonathan Trott who is wandering all over the crease, head all over the place. If Trott can’t cope with the 85mph attack of the West Indies, lord help him when Tim Southee and Trent Boult soften him up for Mitchells Johnson and Starc. | A good day for Gary Ballance too, who has ground out an innings and - though a long way from form - is at least nearing it. The same cannot be said for Alastair Cook - who still appears to have no clue where his off stump is - and Jonathan Trott who is wandering all over the crease, head all over the place. If Trott can’t cope with the 85mph attack of the West Indies, lord help him when Tim Southee and Trent Boult soften him up for Mitchells Johnson and Starc. |
| Thanks for joining us, see you tomorrow afternoon for the fourth day. | Thanks for joining us, see you tomorrow afternoon for the fourth day. |
| 10.32pm BST | 10.32pm BST |
| 22:32 | 22:32 |
| 38th over England 116-3 lead by 220 (Ballance 44, Root 32) | 38th over England 116-3 lead by 220 (Ballance 44, Root 32) |
| Root wanders over to Billy Bowden and says, “I thought you said it was time to go?” Marlon Samuels butts in, “Look at him trying to sneak off, he’ll try anything”. The bowler then sends down three balls of rank filth, a good yard outside Ballance’s off stump and turning even further away. His last ball of the day is pushed for one and, with that, that’s your lot. | Root wanders over to Billy Bowden and says, “I thought you said it was time to go?” Marlon Samuels butts in, “Look at him trying to sneak off, he’ll try anything”. The bowler then sends down three balls of rank filth, a good yard outside Ballance’s off stump and turning even further away. His last ball of the day is pushed for one and, with that, that’s your lot. |
| 10.30pm BST | 10.30pm BST |
| 22:30 | 22:30 |
| 37th over England 115-3 lead by 219 (Ballance 43, Root 32) | 37th over England 115-3 lead by 219 (Ballance 43, Root 32) |
| Holder lollops in half-heartedly from the other end and Ballance steers him to third man for an easy couple. It’s been a long session, three hours now, and so when Holder serves up a half volley, Ballance takes pity and leans on it for three rather than clobbering it for four. The players look expectantly at the umpire, hoping he’ll call time for the day. No luck. | Holder lollops in half-heartedly from the other end and Ballance steers him to third man for an easy couple. It’s been a long session, three hours now, and so when Holder serves up a half volley, Ballance takes pity and leans on it for three rather than clobbering it for four. The players look expectantly at the umpire, hoping he’ll call time for the day. No luck. |
| 10.24pm BST | 10.24pm BST |
| 22:24 | 22:24 |
| 36th over England 109-3 lead by 213 (Ballance 38, Root 32) | 36th over England 109-3 lead by 213 (Ballance 38, Root 32) |
| Samuels continues his impression of the vicar coming in from the pub end, the villagers gazing on over full pints. Or at least that’s the general mood as the West Indies play for the close. Root and Ballance exchange singles. Only a couple of overs to go. | Samuels continues his impression of the vicar coming in from the pub end, the villagers gazing on over full pints. Or at least that’s the general mood as the West Indies play for the close. Root and Ballance exchange singles. Only a couple of overs to go. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.34pm BST | at 10.34pm BST |
| 10.21pm BST | 10.21pm BST |
| 22:21 | 22:21 |
| 35th over England 107-3 lead by 211 (Ballance 37, Root 31) | 35th over England 107-3 lead by 211 (Ballance 37, Root 31) |
| And here comes some pace at last. Holder interrupts the pleasant sense of ennui that has enveloped the early evening pleasantness in Antigua and sends one down which jags off the pitch. He tries to tuck Ballance up with his second, before three fuller balls at 80mph-ish are dealt with without much issue by the batsman. Ballance is not at his best, but he is still at the crease, grinding it out and getting nearer to some form. Or at least he was, until deciding to swish at a short, wide ball and failing to connect by quite some distance. A maiden. | And here comes some pace at last. Holder interrupts the pleasant sense of ennui that has enveloped the early evening pleasantness in Antigua and sends one down which jags off the pitch. He tries to tuck Ballance up with his second, before three fuller balls at 80mph-ish are dealt with without much issue by the batsman. Ballance is not at his best, but he is still at the crease, grinding it out and getting nearer to some form. Or at least he was, until deciding to swish at a short, wide ball and failing to connect by quite some distance. A maiden. |
| “Surely Pietersen’s role is as Banquo’s ghost?,” says Elliot Wilson, giving it some Scottish play. | “Surely Pietersen’s role is as Banquo’s ghost?,” says Elliot Wilson, giving it some Scottish play. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.21pm BST | at 10.21pm BST |
| 10.15pm BST | 10.15pm BST |
| 22:15 | 22:15 |
| 34th over England 107-3 lead by 211 (Ballance 37, Root 31) | 34th over England 107-3 lead by 211 (Ballance 37, Root 31) |
| Samuels stiffly turns his arm over down the other end, marking time, holding up an end with the three seamers grazing in the long grass. Samuels tosses one up, fishing for Ballance to hit out. Ballance is having none of it and continues to nudge and nurdle, mellow and easy. | Samuels stiffly turns his arm over down the other end, marking time, holding up an end with the three seamers grazing in the long grass. Samuels tosses one up, fishing for Ballance to hit out. Ballance is having none of it and continues to nudge and nurdle, mellow and easy. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.21pm BST | at 10.21pm BST |
| 10.12pm BST | 10.12pm BST |
| 22:12 | 22:12 |
| 33rd over England 104-3 lead by 208 (Ballance 35, Root 30) | 33rd over England 104-3 lead by 208 (Ballance 35, Root 30) |
| That’s the hundred up and a 50 partnership between these two. The West Indies team seem happy to let them tick over without putting too much pressure on them. It’s almost as if it’s early evening in the Caribbean and, well, come on. One moment of drama comes when Root attempts to cut Benn and misses it. Still, it’s not that dramatic. | That’s the hundred up and a 50 partnership between these two. The West Indies team seem happy to let them tick over without putting too much pressure on them. It’s almost as if it’s early evening in the Caribbean and, well, come on. One moment of drama comes when Root attempts to cut Benn and misses it. Still, it’s not that dramatic. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.20pm BST | at 10.20pm BST |
| 10.09pm BST | 10.09pm BST |
| 22:09 | 22:09 |
| 32nd over England 99-3 lead by 203 (Ballance 32, Root 28) | 32nd over England 99-3 lead by 203 (Ballance 32, Root 28) |
| The rest of Samuels’ over passes without incident, Root working a single and Ballance playing cautiously. Two off the over. | The rest of Samuels’ over passes without incident, Root working a single and Ballance playing cautiously. Two off the over. |
| “’Where does Pietersen play?’ If he’s any sense he’ll sign up to play for Yorkshire’s seconds, in the county championship,” chuckles Bob O’Hara. | “’Where does Pietersen play?’ If he’s any sense he’ll sign up to play for Yorkshire’s seconds, in the county championship,” chuckles Bob O’Hara. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.10pm BST | at 10.10pm BST |
| 10.06pm BST | 10.06pm BST |
| 22:06 | 22:06 |
| SAFE | SAFE |
| Root was hit outside the line, while the Hawkeye suggests the ball would have hit the stumps but that it was umpire’s call. Still, a tight one. | Root was hit outside the line, while the Hawkeye suggests the ball would have hit the stumps but that it was umpire’s call. Still, a tight one. |
| 10.05pm BST | 10.05pm BST |
| 22:05 | 22:05 |
| REVIEW! | REVIEW! |
| A review. Samuels catches Root in front, wandering across the stumps from leg to off. Did it hit him outside the line? | A review. Samuels catches Root in front, wandering across the stumps from leg to off. Did it hit him outside the line? |
| 10.04pm BST | 10.04pm BST |
| 22:04 | 22:04 |
| 31st over England 97-3 lead by 201 (Ballance 31, Root 27) | 31st over England 97-3 lead by 201 (Ballance 31, Root 27) |
| Balance and Root continue to look to be positive against Benn, having both played themselves in. Root is cutting and swishing, Ballance pushing. | Balance and Root continue to look to be positive against Benn, having both played themselves in. Root is cutting and swishing, Ballance pushing. |
| “If Animal comes in for Trott, then Dr. Teeth must surely replace Cook as captain,” reckons Simon McMahon. I think he’s probably more Beaker at the moment. Or is that Jonny Bairstow. | “If Animal comes in for Trott, then Dr. Teeth must surely replace Cook as captain,” reckons Simon McMahon. I think he’s probably more Beaker at the moment. Or is that Jonny Bairstow. |
| 10.00pm BST | 10.00pm BST |
| 22:00 | 22:00 |
| 30th over England 92-3 lead by 196 (Ballance 30, Root 23) | 30th over England 92-3 lead by 196 (Ballance 30, Root 23) |
| The part-time spinner Marlon Samuels comes on, drifts one down the leg, and Root clatters him to the deep square boundary. West Indies are drifting a bit at the moment while England are looking to step on the gas. Ramdin’s captaincy is a bit odd at times - why bring on Samuels now, with Taylor and Holder fresh-ish? | The part-time spinner Marlon Samuels comes on, drifts one down the leg, and Root clatters him to the deep square boundary. West Indies are drifting a bit at the moment while England are looking to step on the gas. Ramdin’s captaincy is a bit odd at times - why bring on Samuels now, with Taylor and Holder fresh-ish? |
| “Re 29th over: Pietersen plays in his sand-pit,” chortles John Starbuck. | “Re 29th over: Pietersen plays in his sand-pit,” chortles John Starbuck. |
| 9.56pm BST | 9.56pm BST |
| 21:56 | 21:56 |
| 29th over England 87-3 lead by 191 (Ballance 30, Root 18) | 29th over England 87-3 lead by 191 (Ballance 30, Root 18) |
| Root pushes Benn for two, then cuts him hard for four as he appears to have got to grips with the spinner. Not sure we’ll see too much more of him - can’t work out why Taylor is not on from this end. | Root pushes Benn for two, then cuts him hard for four as he appears to have got to grips with the spinner. Not sure we’ll see too much more of him - can’t work out why Taylor is not on from this end. |
| “We’ve got a young championship winning, player of the year, in the form of his life on the bench,” writes Thomas Bright of Adam Lyth. “I think he deserves a game! Drop Cook, tell him he’s still a massive part of our plans going forward and to pile on the runs for Essex before New Zealand come to town. If Trott, Ballance or Lyth aren’t scoring he comes straight into the side, not as captain though. That honour goes to young Joe Root, aggressive when needs be, he’s calm when under pressure and most importantly plays with a smile on his face! Graves at the top, Vaughn in above Moores and Root as captain, a good Yorkshire is good for England! Rant over.” | “We’ve got a young championship winning, player of the year, in the form of his life on the bench,” writes Thomas Bright of Adam Lyth. “I think he deserves a game! Drop Cook, tell him he’s still a massive part of our plans going forward and to pile on the runs for Essex before New Zealand come to town. If Trott, Ballance or Lyth aren’t scoring he comes straight into the side, not as captain though. That honour goes to young Joe Root, aggressive when needs be, he’s calm when under pressure and most importantly plays with a smile on his face! Graves at the top, Vaughn in above Moores and Root as captain, a good Yorkshire is good for England! Rant over.” |
| Where does Pietersen play? | Where does Pietersen play? |
| 9.53pm BST | 9.53pm BST |
| 21:53 | 21:53 |
| 28th over England 80-3 lead by 182 (Ballance 30, Root 11) | 28th over England 80-3 lead by 182 (Ballance 30, Root 11) |
| Another lovely cut from Ballance, spanking Roach to the point boundary again. In the last couple of overs, Ballance has just started to resemble the batsman of last summer so, if that hasn’t jinxed him, it would be nice to see if he could play himself back into some form here. He tickles Roach for another four to fine leg, then works a two to reinforce the point. | Another lovely cut from Ballance, spanking Roach to the point boundary again. In the last couple of overs, Ballance has just started to resemble the batsman of last summer so, if that hasn’t jinxed him, it would be nice to see if he could play himself back into some form here. He tickles Roach for another four to fine leg, then works a two to reinforce the point. |
| 9.49pm BST | 9.49pm BST |
| 21:49 | 21:49 |
| 27th over England 70-3 lead by 174 (Ballance 20, Root 11) | 27th over England 70-3 lead by 174 (Ballance 20, Root 11) |
| Root smears Ben through point but is thwarted by a sprawling stop. He is looking to be positive against the spinner, moving about in the crease and looking for runs. He gets a couple to leg before blocking out the over and shaking his head in resignation. | Root smears Ben through point but is thwarted by a sprawling stop. He is looking to be positive against the spinner, moving about in the crease and looking for runs. He gets a couple to leg before blocking out the over and shaking his head in resignation. |
| “Just back from work, late in the day etc etc just seen the Buddy Rich link,” emails Rob Watson. “How long before the selectors put the muppet drummer in for Trott?” | “Just back from work, late in the day etc etc just seen the Buddy Rich link,” emails Rob Watson. “How long before the selectors put the muppet drummer in for Trott?” |
| 9.46pm BST | 9.46pm BST |
| 21:46 | 21:46 |
| 26th over England 68-3 lead by 172 (Ballance 20, Root 9) | 26th over England 68-3 lead by 172 (Ballance 20, Root 9) |
| Having just embarked in the much-missed, ceremonial Rob Smyth jog to the loos and back during the drinks break, I missed Ballance carving Roach to the point boundary. Also there may be some score confusion. Sky gave Root a six for that slog sweep to midwicket and had them two ahead of me so we’ll go with them since our scores are jiggered. | Having just embarked in the much-missed, ceremonial Rob Smyth jog to the loos and back during the drinks break, I missed Ballance carving Roach to the point boundary. Also there may be some score confusion. Sky gave Root a six for that slog sweep to midwicket and had them two ahead of me so we’ll go with them since our scores are jiggered. |
| 9.39pm BST | 9.39pm BST |
| 21:39 | 21:39 |
| 25th over England 62-3 lead by 165 (Ballance 16, Root 7) | 25th over England 62-3 lead by 165 (Ballance 16, Root 7) |
| Ballance nurdles a single to fine leg off Benn before Root gets down on knee and thrashes the spinner through midwicket for four. That’s what England need. They are a little becalmed at the moment and could do with upping the run rate. Tricky if the score is 62-3, admittedly, but the lead is 168-3 which is a far better platform from which to slog. | Ballance nurdles a single to fine leg off Benn before Root gets down on knee and thrashes the spinner through midwicket for four. That’s what England need. They are a little becalmed at the moment and could do with upping the run rate. Tricky if the score is 62-3, admittedly, but the lead is 168-3 which is a far better platform from which to slog. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.17pm BST | at 10.17pm BST |
| 9.36pm BST | 9.36pm BST |
| 21:36 | 21:36 |
| 24th over England 57-3 lead by 160 (Ballance 15, Root 3) | 24th over England 57-3 lead by 160 (Ballance 15, Root 3) |
| Taylor is sending the ball down at 88mph-ish, with the swing variable. Sometimes it hoops, sometimes it does not. Can’t help feel that it would be more consistent with the cross breeze on his side. One from the over, worked off Ballance’s hip to square leg. | Taylor is sending the ball down at 88mph-ish, with the swing variable. Sometimes it hoops, sometimes it does not. Can’t help feel that it would be more consistent with the cross breeze on his side. One from the over, worked off Ballance’s hip to square leg. |
| 9.31pm BST | 9.31pm BST |
| 21:31 | 21:31 |
| 23rd over England 56-3 lead by 159 (Ballance 14, Root 3) | 23rd over England 56-3 lead by 159 (Ballance 14, Root 3) |
| Root clips Benn through midwicket but not quite to the boundary and so runs three. Benn would prefer to be bowling to Ballance, what with all that rough outside the left-hander’s off stump but Ballance gets off strike with a single. | Root clips Benn through midwicket but not quite to the boundary and so runs three. Benn would prefer to be bowling to Ballance, what with all that rough outside the left-hander’s off stump but Ballance gets off strike with a single. |
| 9.28pm BST | 9.28pm BST |
| 21:28 | 21:28 |
| 22nd over England 52-3 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Root 0) | 22nd over England 52-3 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Root 0) |
| Taylor continues from the wrong end but does get the ball to swing in towards the base of Ballance’s stumps. His line is full and straight/outside off and it’s relentless too (or was, until the fifth delivery strayed a little too wide of off). Ballance is watchful, until the last ball of the over when he dabs outside off rather than leaving Taylor well alone. | Taylor continues from the wrong end but does get the ball to swing in towards the base of Ballance’s stumps. His line is full and straight/outside off and it’s relentless too (or was, until the fifth delivery strayed a little too wide of off). Ballance is watchful, until the last ball of the over when he dabs outside off rather than leaving Taylor well alone. |
| 9.24pm BST | 9.24pm BST |
| 21:24 | 21:24 |
| 21st over England 52-3 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Root 0) | 21st over England 52-3 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Root 0) |
| Then again, Benn is finding turn at the other end and his first delivery to Root turns from middle and off past the edge of the bat. But Root is attempting to play positively, attempting to cut him when he can but getting in a big stride when he can’t. A maiden nonetheless. | Then again, Benn is finding turn at the other end and his first delivery to Root turns from middle and off past the edge of the bat. But Root is attempting to play positively, attempting to cut him when he can but getting in a big stride when he can’t. A maiden nonetheless. |
| Re. the 16th over: | Re. the 16th over: |
| @tombry You'd only feel like Cook if it happened every day for two years, you wore the same coat, said it's fine & slagged off Morgan's coat | @tombry You'd only feel like Cook if it happened every day for two years, you wore the same coat, said it's fine & slagged off Morgan's coat |
| 9.21pm BST | 9.21pm BST |
| 21:21 | 21:21 |
| 20th over England 52-3 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Root 0) | 20th over England 52-3 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Root 0) |
| What a mix-up for that run out. Bell set off, Ballance half set off then stopped. Bell carried on for a bit, turned around, and was then well short of his crease. As he wandered off, he gave Ballance something of a look. | What a mix-up for that run out. Bell set off, Ballance half set off then stopped. Bell carried on for a bit, turned around, and was then well short of his crease. As he wandered off, he gave Ballance something of a look. |
| Meanwhile Taylor returns, but from the other end than the one in which he claimed the wickets of Cook and Trott and with the wind against him. He sends down an in-swinging yorker, against the prevailing breeze, which Ballance digs out. The next two balls go down the leg, his line a little off, so he comes around the wicket but can’t get the ball to swing against that breeze again. Seems odd he’s not bowling from the other end. | Meanwhile Taylor returns, but from the other end than the one in which he claimed the wickets of Cook and Trott and with the wind against him. He sends down an in-swinging yorker, against the prevailing breeze, which Ballance digs out. The next two balls go down the leg, his line a little off, so he comes around the wicket but can’t get the ball to swing against that breeze again. Seems odd he’s not bowling from the other end. |
| In other news: Chris Gayle appear to be auditioning for the role of OBO writer now. | In other news: Chris Gayle appear to be auditioning for the role of OBO writer now. |
| Big wicket, Bell run out! Ballance was off balance so told Bell wait up. | Big wicket, Bell run out! Ballance was off balance so told Bell wait up. |
| 9.14pm BST | 9.14pm BST |
| 21:14 | 21:14 |
| WICKET! Bell run out 11 (England 52-3) | WICKET! Bell run out 11 (England 52-3) |
| That is spectacularly shoddy. Bell nudged the arm ball from Benn to leg and should probably have been caught by short leg. Then, in the ensuing panic, decided to run. Ballance did not and sent him back but he was well short and is comprehensively run out | That is spectacularly shoddy. Bell nudged the arm ball from Benn to leg and should probably have been caught by short leg. Then, in the ensuing panic, decided to run. Ballance did not and sent him back but he was well short and is comprehensively run out |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.14pm BST | at 10.14pm BST |
| 9.13pm BST | 9.13pm BST |
| 21:13 | 21:13 |
| 19th over England 52-2 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Bell 11) | 19th over England 52-2 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Bell 11) |
| Benn continues as Taylor watches on, having taken two wickets in five overs and bowled stunningly. Odd that he’s not still in the attack - perhaps he has a niggle. Still, Benn is finding turn and very nearly clips the top of Bell’s off stump with the batsman well beaten. And then ... | Benn continues as Taylor watches on, having taken two wickets in five overs and bowled stunningly. Odd that he’s not still in the attack - perhaps he has a niggle. Still, Benn is finding turn and very nearly clips the top of Bell’s off stump with the batsman well beaten. And then ... |
| 9.10pm BST | 9.10pm BST |
| 21:10 | 21:10 |
| 18th over England 52-2 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Bell 11) | 18th over England 52-2 lead by 156 (Ballance 13, Bell 11) |
| For some reason, the stump mics are turned right up in this Test and what is coming over loud and clear is quite how much Bell talks at the crease. He appears to be in constant communication with the umpires, asking how many balls are left, checking decisions and, at one point, bemoaning England’s luck in having Blackwood caught off a no ball in the Windies’ first innings. Bell pulls Holder for one before Ballance drives elegantly to the mid off boundary - a boundary which requires a little third umpire adjudication. And that’s the 50. | For some reason, the stump mics are turned right up in this Test and what is coming over loud and clear is quite how much Bell talks at the crease. He appears to be in constant communication with the umpires, asking how many balls are left, checking decisions and, at one point, bemoaning England’s luck in having Blackwood caught off a no ball in the Windies’ first innings. Bell pulls Holder for one before Ballance drives elegantly to the mid off boundary - a boundary which requires a little third umpire adjudication. And that’s the 50. |
| 9.05pm BST | 9.05pm BST |
| 21:05 | 21:05 |
| 17th over England 47-2 lead by 151 (Ballance 9, Bell 10) | 17th over England 47-2 lead by 151 (Ballance 9, Bell 10) |
| Time for some spin and Sulieman Benn comes on to twirl a few balls at Ballance. Can a 6ft 7in spinner twirl? Probably not. But he does have some rough to aim at outside Ballance’s off stump and turns one into the batsman’s pads and another which has the two short legs sprawling for a catch. Ballance responds with four to fine leg. | Time for some spin and Sulieman Benn comes on to twirl a few balls at Ballance. Can a 6ft 7in spinner twirl? Probably not. But he does have some rough to aim at outside Ballance’s off stump and turns one into the batsman’s pads and another which has the two short legs sprawling for a catch. Ballance responds with four to fine leg. |
| Chris Gayle appears to be conducting some kind of Twitter Q+A. Asked why he’s not here today, this is his answer: | Chris Gayle appears to be conducting some kind of Twitter Q+A. Asked why he’s not here today, this is his answer: |
| Why u chat so much?! https://t.co/KpkctOXDy2 | Why u chat so much?! https://t.co/KpkctOXDy2 |
| 9.01pm BST | 9.01pm BST |
| 21:01 | 21:01 |
| 16th over England 43-2 lead by 147 (Ballance 5, Bell 10) | 16th over England 43-2 lead by 147 (Ballance 5, Bell 10) |
| Holder sends down another extraordinary delivery - though this one is less impressive. He swings it from pretty much the edge of the cut strip through second slip for five wides. Harmison-esque. A leg bye to fine leg is followed by Bell pushing a couple through the covers. | Holder sends down another extraordinary delivery - though this one is less impressive. He swings it from pretty much the edge of the cut strip through second slip for five wides. Harmison-esque. A leg bye to fine leg is followed by Bell pushing a couple through the covers. |
| “I must confess to feeling a little bit like Cook,” emails Paul Withall. “As I walked through the pre-dawn, looking forward to another 12 hours of employment happiness, I was crapped on by not one but two birds. It’s not even six in the morning here in Brisbane yet I feel the tone for my day has been set already.” You’d only be in the same boat as Cook if it happened to you every single time you went to work for the next two years. | “I must confess to feeling a little bit like Cook,” emails Paul Withall. “As I walked through the pre-dawn, looking forward to another 12 hours of employment happiness, I was crapped on by not one but two birds. It’s not even six in the morning here in Brisbane yet I feel the tone for my day has been set already.” You’d only be in the same boat as Cook if it happened to you every single time you went to work for the next two years. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.06pm BST | at 9.06pm BST |
| 8.55pm BST | 8.55pm BST |
| 20:55 | 20:55 |
| 15th over England 35-2 lead by 139 (Ballance 5, Bell 8) | 15th over England 35-2 lead by 139 (Ballance 5, Bell 8) |
| During drinks, Roach needed a little treatment from the West Indies’ physios but he returns now and looks well enough, despite not really having hit his stride. He draws Bell into a loose drive, the batsman stretching just a little too far out of his comfort zone. Ramdin catches and there is half an appeal. Bell responds by cutting Roach over Blackwood’s head at point for four. Roach thought it was a chance but Bell seemed to have it under control. | During drinks, Roach needed a little treatment from the West Indies’ physios but he returns now and looks well enough, despite not really having hit his stride. He draws Bell into a loose drive, the batsman stretching just a little too far out of his comfort zone. Ramdin catches and there is half an appeal. Bell responds by cutting Roach over Blackwood’s head at point for four. Roach thought it was a chance but Bell seemed to have it under control. |
| 8.52pm BST | 8.52pm BST |
| 20:52 | 20:52 |
| 14th over England 31-2 lead by 135 (Ballance 5, Bell 4) | 14th over England 31-2 lead by 135 (Ballance 5, Bell 4) |
| Holder, who managed to get a ball to bounce off middle and deviate to first slip just a moment ago, decides to come around the wicket to Ballance now. Frankly, if he can keep getting it to move that much from over the wicket, I’d keep trying it. Then again, he does get a ball to lift sharply into Ballance’s bat handle from a good length coming round the wicket, so maybe he knows best. Down the other end, Bell is now lecturing Billy Bowden on that overthrown four he should have given to Cook. Bowden looks uncertain, if we’re being honest. Two from the over, from a Ballance clip to leg. | Holder, who managed to get a ball to bounce off middle and deviate to first slip just a moment ago, decides to come around the wicket to Ballance now. Frankly, if he can keep getting it to move that much from over the wicket, I’d keep trying it. Then again, he does get a ball to lift sharply into Ballance’s bat handle from a good length coming round the wicket, so maybe he knows best. Down the other end, Bell is now lecturing Billy Bowden on that overthrown four he should have given to Cook. Bowden looks uncertain, if we’re being honest. Two from the over, from a Ballance clip to leg. |
| 8.42pm BST | 8.42pm BST |
| 20:42 | 20:42 |
| 13th over England 29-2 lead by 133 (Ballance 3, Bell 4) | 13th over England 29-2 lead by 133 (Ballance 3, Bell 4) |
| Roach is getting a little away swing but his line is not terribly threatening. He’s wide outside off, allowing Bell to leave him well alone. Taylor wanders over for a quick chat in between deliveries but to little avail - his next ball is full and wide again. But then, all of a sudden, he brings one sharply back into the stumps that Bell inside edges onto his pads plum in front. Another maiden and that’s drinks. | Roach is getting a little away swing but his line is not terribly threatening. He’s wide outside off, allowing Bell to leave him well alone. Taylor wanders over for a quick chat in between deliveries but to little avail - his next ball is full and wide again. But then, all of a sudden, he brings one sharply back into the stumps that Bell inside edges onto his pads plum in front. Another maiden and that’s drinks. |
| 8.38pm BST | 8.38pm BST |
| 20:38 | 20:38 |
| 12th over England 29-2 lead by 133 (Ballance 3, Bell 4) | 12th over England 29-2 lead by 133 (Ballance 3, Bell 4) |
| Holder continues to Ballance, and Ballance continues to struggle with a line that is shortish and just outside off stump. Holder has a knack of hitting the seam, something which is causing the batsman some issues at the moment. A second maiden for Holder. | Holder continues to Ballance, and Ballance continues to struggle with a line that is shortish and just outside off stump. Holder has a knack of hitting the seam, something which is causing the batsman some issues at the moment. A second maiden for Holder. |
| “Talking of Buddy Rich ...”, emails someone who, as far as I can tell, is called Pewarstoat, and then offers this: | “Talking of Buddy Rich ...”, emails someone who, as far as I can tell, is called Pewarstoat, and then offers this: |
| 8.34pm BST | 8.34pm BST |
| 20:34 | 20:34 |
| 11th over England 29-2 lead by 133 (Ballance 3, Bell 4) | 11th over England 29-2 lead by 133 (Ballance 3, Bell 4) |
| Another odd one. Taylor, who has scaring the bejesus out of the England top order, is off. Roach takes over, sending down his whippy, skiddy 80mph-ers. Bell attempts a cut, misses it, and the pulse rate of the keeper and the slips goes up a notch. A couple of balls later, Bell drives fluently to the cover boundary. Nonetheless, the thought of cranking out a quick 300 on a flat one to have a lead of 400 by tomorrow afternoon seems a distant dream. | Another odd one. Taylor, who has scaring the bejesus out of the England top order, is off. Roach takes over, sending down his whippy, skiddy 80mph-ers. Bell attempts a cut, misses it, and the pulse rate of the keeper and the slips goes up a notch. A couple of balls later, Bell drives fluently to the cover boundary. Nonetheless, the thought of cranking out a quick 300 on a flat one to have a lead of 400 by tomorrow afternoon seems a distant dream. |
| “I can’t see the selectors dropping Ballance for Trott after all the runs he harvested last summer,” argues Tom Van Der Gucht. “Especially after Trott’s low scores here, it would be totally unjust. It’s good that Trott has fought back and reclaimed his place so valiantly, but at the moment he has more to prove than Ballance.” | “I can’t see the selectors dropping Ballance for Trott after all the runs he harvested last summer,” argues Tom Van Der Gucht. “Especially after Trott’s low scores here, it would be totally unjust. It’s good that Trott has fought back and reclaimed his place so valiantly, but at the moment he has more to prove than Ballance.” |
| 8.30pm BST | 8.30pm BST |
| 20:30 | 20:30 |
| 10th over England 25-2 lead by 129 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) | 10th over England 25-2 lead by 129 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) |
| Holder replaces Roach, who looked a little ragged in his last over. Ballance is beaten all ends up by a lifter that has him both prodding and attempting to get out of the way all at the same time. He doesn’t look happy at all. And then there is an utterly extraordinary ball. Holder sends one down that pitches on middle and veers away - Ballance prods at it and the ball is taken by first slip. Ballance was nowhere near actually hitting it, however, it’s just that the delivery took off. Very odd. | Holder replaces Roach, who looked a little ragged in his last over. Ballance is beaten all ends up by a lifter that has him both prodding and attempting to get out of the way all at the same time. He doesn’t look happy at all. And then there is an utterly extraordinary ball. Holder sends one down that pitches on middle and veers away - Ballance prods at it and the ball is taken by first slip. Ballance was nowhere near actually hitting it, however, it’s just that the delivery took off. Very odd. |
| Here’s Kevin Wilson: “Make that side: Lyth, Ali, Ballance, Bell, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Tredwell, Broad, Plunkett, Anderson.” It says something for Tredwell’s performance in his first spell back that he’s now an automatic pick - he can’t get a game for Kent at the moment. As for dropping Cook, it clearly won’t happen but it would be nice to see if Lyth can replicate his county form | Here’s Kevin Wilson: “Make that side: Lyth, Ali, Ballance, Bell, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Tredwell, Broad, Plunkett, Anderson.” It says something for Tredwell’s performance in his first spell back that he’s now an automatic pick - he can’t get a game for Kent at the moment. As for dropping Cook, it clearly won’t happen but it would be nice to see if Lyth can replicate his county form |
| 8.25pm BST | 8.25pm BST |
| 20:25 | 20:25 |
| 9th over England 25-2 lead by 129 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) | 9th over England 25-2 lead by 129 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) |
| Taylor continues to find prodigious out-swing, his run-up as rhythmic as Buddy Rich. It’s also about as long as one of the great drummer’s solos. Bell plays him watchfully, angling those deliveries he does not leave down and into the slips/gully with soft hands. A maiden. | Taylor continues to find prodigious out-swing, his run-up as rhythmic as Buddy Rich. It’s also about as long as one of the great drummer’s solos. Bell plays him watchfully, angling those deliveries he does not leave down and into the slips/gully with soft hands. A maiden. |
| 8.20pm BST | 8.20pm BST |
| 20:20 | 20:20 |
| 8th over England 25-2 lead by 129 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) | 8th over England 25-2 lead by 129 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) |
| Roach sends down an over full and outside off. Ballance leave almost all of it, until he fishes dangerously at the last ball of the over and misses it. | Roach sends down an over full and outside off. Ballance leave almost all of it, until he fishes dangerously at the last ball of the over and misses it. |
| Suggestion for next Test from Dean Kinsella: | Suggestion for next Test from Dean Kinsella: |
| 1.Cook2.Ali3.Trott4.Bell5.Root6.Buttler7.Stokes8.Rashid9.Tredwell10.Anderson11.Plunkett. | 1.Cook2.Ali3.Trott4.Bell5.Root6.Buttler7.Stokes8.Rashid9.Tredwell10.Anderson11.Plunkett. |
| I like Plunkett in there - when the ball doesn’t swing, you need someone who is happy to send down pace and little else - but I’d keep Broad in over Rashid forhis bowling. Can Ballance really be dropped too? He had a stunning summer last year. | I like Plunkett in there - when the ball doesn’t swing, you need someone who is happy to send down pace and little else - but I’d keep Broad in over Rashid forhis bowling. Can Ballance really be dropped too? He had a stunning summer last year. |
| 8.16pm BST | 8.16pm BST |
| 20:16 | 20:16 |
| 7th over England 24-2 lead by 128 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) | 7th over England 24-2 lead by 128 (Ballance 3, Bell 0) |
| Has Cook had it? Is he gone? Is he a Michael Owen, a Fernando Torres? All burned out. Feels worringly like it. Anyway, Ballance got off the mark with a three off his hips before that Cook wicket, before Bell got two absolute screamers from Taylor and could have been out to both of them in his first two balls. | Has Cook had it? Is he gone? Is he a Michael Owen, a Fernando Torres? All burned out. Feels worringly like it. Anyway, Ballance got off the mark with a three off his hips before that Cook wicket, before Bell got two absolute screamers from Taylor and could have been out to both of them in his first two balls. |
| Run through this batting line up Bobby Taylor. #WIvsENG | Run through this batting line up Bobby Taylor. #WIvsENG |
| 8.13pm BST | 8.13pm BST |
| 20:13 | 20:13 |
| WICKET! Cook c Benn b Taylor 13 (England 20-2) | WICKET! Cook c Benn b Taylor 13 (England 20-2) |
| Oh dear. Taylor, from around the wicket, tempts Cook into a prod outside off. The ball flies to Benn in the gully. Cook thumps his pads as he walks off as well he might. | Oh dear. Taylor, from around the wicket, tempts Cook into a prod outside off. The ball flies to Benn in the gully. Cook thumps his pads as he walks off as well he might. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.32pm BST | at 8.32pm BST |
| 8.08pm BST | 8.08pm BST |
| 20:08 | 20:08 |
| 6th over England 17-1 lead by 121 (Cook 13, Ballance 0) | 6th over England 17-1 lead by 121 (Cook 13, Ballance 0) |
| Roach goes round the wicket and Cook prods unconvincingly outside off to much oohing and aahing behind the stumps. Cook gets another couple off his hips as Roach canfails to maintain the line. Watching Trott’s dismissal again, the batsman was all over the place - he walks towards the delivery, his head lolling about everywhere. It was full, straight and swinging - a good ball - but Trott’s balance is all wrong. | Roach goes round the wicket and Cook prods unconvincingly outside off to much oohing and aahing behind the stumps. Cook gets another couple off his hips as Roach canfails to maintain the line. Watching Trott’s dismissal again, the batsman was all over the place - he walks towards the delivery, his head lolling about everywhere. It was full, straight and swinging - a good ball - but Trott’s balance is all wrong. |
| Incidentally, you may well think the West Indies are still batting if you look at the scoreboard above the picture. It’s just an optical illusion, like one of those magic eye prints. It’s something the Guardian are experimenting with. If you squint hard enough it will tell you the correct score and that England are batting. | Incidentally, you may well think the West Indies are still batting if you look at the scoreboard above the picture. It’s just an optical illusion, like one of those magic eye prints. It’s something the Guardian are experimenting with. If you squint hard enough it will tell you the correct score and that England are batting. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.08pm BST | at 8.08pm BST |
| 8.03pm BST | 8.03pm BST |
| 20:03 | 20:03 |
| WICKET! Trott c Ramdin b Taylor 4 (England 15-1) | WICKET! Trott c Ramdin b Taylor 4 (England 15-1) |
| Same bowler, same problem for Trott as in the first innings. A full out-swinger has Trott leaning forward, footwork non-existent, and nicking. Ramdin takes a good low catch behind the stumps. | Same bowler, same problem for Trott as in the first innings. A full out-swinger has Trott leaning forward, footwork non-existent, and nicking. Ramdin takes a good low catch behind the stumps. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.10pm BST | at 9.10pm BST |
| 8.02pm BST | 8.02pm BST |
| 20:02 | 20:02 |
| 5th over England 15-0 lead by 119 (Cook 10, Trott 4) | 5th over England 15-0 lead by 119 (Cook 10, Trott 4) |
| Taylor swings a ball sharply into Cook’s off stump, but the England captain just about chops his bat down fast enough to block out the delivery. Excellent line and length from Taylor. His second ball brings more of the same, the seam upright and guiding the ball like a rudder towards the wicket. Cook’s had enough of that sort of him, and stops Taylor midway through his run up as he charges in for his third delivery. Taylor is piqued and offers him a short ball next up. Cook hooks it for four, which doesn’t much help Taylor’s mood. But then ... | Taylor swings a ball sharply into Cook’s off stump, but the England captain just about chops his bat down fast enough to block out the delivery. Excellent line and length from Taylor. His second ball brings more of the same, the seam upright and guiding the ball like a rudder towards the wicket. Cook’s had enough of that sort of him, and stops Taylor midway through his run up as he charges in for his third delivery. Taylor is piqued and offers him a short ball next up. Cook hooks it for four, which doesn’t much help Taylor’s mood. But then ... |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.14pm BST | at 8.14pm BST |
| 7.57pm BST | 7.57pm BST |
| 19:57 | 19:57 |
| 4th over England 10-0 lead by 114 (Cook 6, Trott 4) | 4th over England 10-0 lead by 114 (Cook 6, Trott 4) |
| Roach sends down a bouncer to Trott. It’s short, wide and not terribly threatening but Trott drops quickly into a crouch and the entire West Indies side offer the bowler plenty of encouragement afterwards. Trott works a couple through midwicket and then sees out the over. | Roach sends down a bouncer to Trott. It’s short, wide and not terribly threatening but Trott drops quickly into a crouch and the entire West Indies side offer the bowler plenty of encouragement afterwards. Trott works a couple through midwicket and then sees out the over. |
| “Evening Tom,” writes Simon McMahon. “Must be a bit annoying when you know the laws better than the umpires. Copy of You Are The Umpire in the post for Mr Bowden.” | “Evening Tom,” writes Simon McMahon. “Must be a bit annoying when you know the laws better than the umpires. Copy of You Are The Umpire in the post for Mr Bowden.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.57pm BST | at 7.57pm BST |
| 7.53pm BST | 7.53pm BST |
| 19:53 | 19:53 |
| 3rd over England 8-0 lead by 112 (Cook 6, Trott 2) | 3rd over England 8-0 lead by 112 (Cook 6, Trott 2) |
| Taylor continues to get swing and continues to bowl that line at Cook’s off stump. Cook is happy to see out a maiden. In the dressing room, Peter Moores is looking intently at a laptop. If ever a statue is made to him, it will feature him looking intently at a laptop. Curtly Ambrose, it will not surprise you, is not doing the same. | Taylor continues to get swing and continues to bowl that line at Cook’s off stump. Cook is happy to see out a maiden. In the dressing room, Peter Moores is looking intently at a laptop. If ever a statue is made to him, it will feature him looking intently at a laptop. Curtly Ambrose, it will not surprise you, is not doing the same. |
| “Being resident in the good ol’ US of A, I haven’t watched any of the Test, but the TMS podcast yesterday made a great deal of Stuart Broad being mentally unable to get behind the ball when batting because he’s scared of getting hit again,” says Ben Mimmack. “Isn’t there a case for sending him back to county cricket to regain his confidence rather than subjecting him to the rest of a tour of the West Indies where he’s unlikely to get much of a break from the short stuff?” | “Being resident in the good ol’ US of A, I haven’t watched any of the Test, but the TMS podcast yesterday made a great deal of Stuart Broad being mentally unable to get behind the ball when batting because he’s scared of getting hit again,” says Ben Mimmack. “Isn’t there a case for sending him back to county cricket to regain his confidence rather than subjecting him to the rest of a tour of the West Indies where he’s unlikely to get much of a break from the short stuff?” |
| I’d say there is a good case for him batting at 11 for a while. Jimmy Anderson is currently a much better batsman than Broad. | I’d say there is a good case for him batting at 11 for a while. Jimmy Anderson is currently a much better batsman than Broad. |
| 7.48pm BST | 7.48pm BST |
| 19:48 | 19:48 |
| 2nd over England 8-0 lead by 112 (Cook 6, Trott 2) | 2nd over England 8-0 lead by 112 (Cook 6, Trott 2) |
| Taylor was fast and aggressive in the first over, finding plenty of swing too. Roach opens up from the other end and his first delivery does not maintain the pressure. Short and wide, Cook pulls him for four. Bowling short at Cook is not really a very good idea, so Roach gets back to the plan: full and just outside off stump. Cook prods a single to midwicket and there is a brief pause when a fielder hurls a ball back into the keeper, Ramdin misses it, and it goes over the boundary for four. Billy Bowden says it was a dead ball. Cook, very firmly, tells him it should have been a four and then he keeps on telling him. Then tells him a fourth and fifth time. He’s not going to get the benefit of any dubious LBW shouts from now on - but he was right, should have been a four. | Taylor was fast and aggressive in the first over, finding plenty of swing too. Roach opens up from the other end and his first delivery does not maintain the pressure. Short and wide, Cook pulls him for four. Bowling short at Cook is not really a very good idea, so Roach gets back to the plan: full and just outside off stump. Cook prods a single to midwicket and there is a brief pause when a fielder hurls a ball back into the keeper, Ramdin misses it, and it goes over the boundary for four. Billy Bowden says it was a dead ball. Cook, very firmly, tells him it should have been a four and then he keeps on telling him. Then tells him a fourth and fifth time. He’s not going to get the benefit of any dubious LBW shouts from now on - but he was right, should have been a four. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.48pm BST | at 7.48pm BST |
| 7.43pm BST | 7.43pm BST |
| 19:43 | 19:43 |
| 1st over England 3-0 lead by 107 (Cook 1, Trott 2) | 1st over England 3-0 lead by 107 (Cook 1, Trott 2) |
| Cook is off the mark first ball, a clip off his hips for a single off Taylor. The pitch is flat, and this will be a three hour session so the bowlers will be tired, so this surely represents Cook and Trott’s best chance to get going. Trott gets in a very firm stride to his first delivery but his feet don’t move for his second: chases a full, swinging ball and is lucky not to nick it to slip. He too gets off the mark with a clip to leg though and he’s off a pair. Though only just. | Cook is off the mark first ball, a clip off his hips for a single off Taylor. The pitch is flat, and this will be a three hour session so the bowlers will be tired, so this surely represents Cook and Trott’s best chance to get going. Trott gets in a very firm stride to his first delivery but his feet don’t move for his second: chases a full, swinging ball and is lucky not to nick it to slip. He too gets off the mark with a clip to leg though and he’s off a pair. Though only just. |
| 7.38pm BST | 7.38pm BST |
| 19:38 | 19:38 |
| Curtly Ambrose is on the pitch giving his bowlers the pep talk off their life. Fist pumping, finger jabbing, spittle flying: it more or less has the lot. He finishes, turns on his heel and his halfway back to his seat before his side know what’s hit them. Right then, here comes the England innings with, arguably, the most out of form top three batsmen in world cricket. Settle in. | Curtly Ambrose is on the pitch giving his bowlers the pep talk off their life. Fist pumping, finger jabbing, spittle flying: it more or less has the lot. He finishes, turns on his heel and his halfway back to his seat before his side know what’s hit them. Right then, here comes the England innings with, arguably, the most out of form top three batsmen in world cricket. Settle in. |
| 7.32pm BST | 7.32pm BST |
| 19:32 | 19:32 |
| And here’s the news on Moeen. | And here’s the news on Moeen. |
| 7.30pm BST | 7.30pm BST |
| 19:30 | 19:30 |
| It’s Tea, incidentally. If Sky could replay the lunchtime interview they showed with Curtly Ambrose, the West Indies bowling coach, that would be excellent. Some highlights: | It’s Tea, incidentally. If Sky could replay the lunchtime interview they showed with Curtly Ambrose, the West Indies bowling coach, that would be excellent. Some highlights: |
| Nasser Hussain: “Are you a technical coach?” | Nasser Hussain: “Are you a technical coach?” |
| Curtly Ambrose: “No.” | Curtly Ambrose: “No.” |
| Ambrose followed it up with this: “I’m easy to get along with, despite my aggressive nature.” | Ambrose followed it up with this: “I’m easy to get along with, despite my aggressive nature.” |
| The man is absolutely wonderful and, within the soundbites, there was an awful lot of solid thinking about bowling - his main themes were of fine tuning his bowlers, and preaching patience and the importance of bowlers thinking for themselves. | The man is absolutely wonderful and, within the soundbites, there was an awful lot of solid thinking about bowling - his main themes were of fine tuning his bowlers, and preaching patience and the importance of bowlers thinking for themselves. |
| 7.25pm BST | 7.25pm BST |
| 19:25 | 19:25 |
| Onto the Moeen question: “You could play Ali mainly as an opening batsman and drop Ballance, who has not convinced, with Trott at three,” emails John Starbuck. “I know it leaves you with six bowlers in theory but some of them can bat pretty well, notionally at least. Still a bit rough on Rashid, but maybe he can improve his batting too?” | Onto the Moeen question: “You could play Ali mainly as an opening batsman and drop Ballance, who has not convinced, with Trott at three,” emails John Starbuck. “I know it leaves you with six bowlers in theory but some of them can bat pretty well, notionally at least. Still a bit rough on Rashid, but maybe he can improve his batting too?” |
| One thing you’re forgetting John. The England mindset frequently appears to be this: “What would we have done in 1973? Send in blockers? Has cricket moved on since then? Nope. Righto, Trotty, Cooky, pad up.” | One thing you’re forgetting John. The England mindset frequently appears to be this: “What would we have done in 1973? Send in blockers? Has cricket moved on since then? Nope. Righto, Trotty, Cooky, pad up.” |
| Or there’s this - which isn’t an all bad idea. | Or there’s this - which isn’t an all bad idea. |
| @tombry given the success Tredwell is having, two spinners in the second Test might be a good shout. | @tombry given the success Tredwell is having, two spinners in the second Test might be a good shout. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.25pm BST | at 7.25pm BST |
| 7.23pm BST | 7.23pm BST |
| 19:23 | 19:23 |
| England have a lead of 104, which they’ll be relatively happy with. If they put the hammer down, could they put 300 on the board by tomorrow afternoon to lead by 400? A good effort from England in the field with the pitch flattening out and slowing. Tredwell probably deserved a five-for, but even four wickets should be enough to answer all those who questioned his selection. Anderson was consistent, Broad patchy, Stokes occasionally promising and Jordan still a bit iffy. For the Windies, Blackwood’s innings was a lot of fun - by turns risky, defiant, gritty and stylish. Bodes well for a man in his sixth Test. | England have a lead of 104, which they’ll be relatively happy with. If they put the hammer down, could they put 300 on the board by tomorrow afternoon to lead by 400? A good effort from England in the field with the pitch flattening out and slowing. Tredwell probably deserved a five-for, but even four wickets should be enough to answer all those who questioned his selection. Anderson was consistent, Broad patchy, Stokes occasionally promising and Jordan still a bit iffy. For the Windies, Blackwood’s innings was a lot of fun - by turns risky, defiant, gritty and stylish. Bodes well for a man in his sixth Test. |