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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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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 |
| (5 months 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. |