England tour of the West Indies

[Perth Bambi]

Out of those matches that Freddie has played in that we lost and the ones that we won that he didn't play in who was the opposition. Also during that time we had other bowlers on form who we could rely on to take wickets, something that we don't have at the moment.

 

[MrB]

Windies don't have a bowler that averages under 30 and two of them are over 40, we should be expecting to make big totals against them.

 

[Pubey]

let's see if Cook can get past 50ish for once... he needs a big knock

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

200 up without a wicket in sight. I'm sure it's a flat track but how many times in other sports do you hear the phrase "You can only beat what's in front of you."? Cook and Strauss are doing an excellent job even taking into account their bowling attack and the wicket.

 

[The General]

Strauss goes for 142!

 

[canveyshrimper]

Blimey Cook is riding his luck skied a pull and a big edge past keeper & first slip.

Edit out for 94.

 

[Pubey]

another failed attempted to turn a 50 into 100... what a waste

 

[Perth Bambi]

another failed attempted to turn a 50 into 100... what a waste

Although it was a waste at least he did get almost there which is a good score and didn't go out in that magical 40-60 slot.

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

Although it was a waste at least he did get almost there which is a good score and didn't go out in that magical 40-60 slot.

It was also the first time in his Test career that he's been dismissed in the 90s, with the previous closest to a hundred let slip an 89 against Sri Lanka at Lord's in 2006.

Cook is now starting to get a run of scores together, despite riding his luck with a few edges flying around today. That's three 50s on the trot, and you get the feeling that if he can just edge past three figures sometime between now and the first Ashes Test in Cardiff, he'll be right back on it again. He remains unsure outside his off stump, but Cook is too good a player not to battle through this period in his career.

England 301-3 at the close, the same score as at the end of the first day of the Third Test, with Collingwood at the crease rather than a nightwatchman this time around. It remains to be seen just how important Jerome Taylor dropping KP in a menacing final spell from Fidel Edwards will be. If England can get through the first hour tomorrow morning, with the new ball only six overs old, unscathed, then another big score looms, and that bodes well for this batting unit.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

It was also the first time in his Test career that he's been dismissed in the 90s, with the previous closest to a hundred let slip an 89 against Sri Lanka at Lord's in 2006.

Cook is now starting to get a run of scores together, despite riding his luck with a few edges flying around today. That's three 50s on the trot, and you get the feeling that if he can just edge past three figures sometime between now and the first Ashes Test in Cardiff, he'll be right back on it again. He remains unsure outside his off stump, but Cook is too good a player not to battle through this period in his career.

He played a few streaky hooks, but Cook hasn't had anywhere near the luck Strauss has had in making his two centuries. In both innings Strauss was dropped in the slips and a ball flew between keeper and slip at catchable height.

In between Strauss has beenplaying some very good shots mind.

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

He played a few streaky hooks, but Cook hasn't had anywhere near the luck Strauss has had in making his two centuries. In both innings Strauss was dropped in the slips and a ball flew between keeper and slip at catchable height.

In between Strauss has beenplaying some very good shots mind.

Strauss has cashed in when he's been dropped - he was on 47 in the last Test (having had a lucky escape with a run-out on 9) and 58 in this one, and twice went on to record big centuries, so that's about all he can do. When things aren't going for you, you get caught on those sort of scores as Cook was in both innings, superbly by Devon Smith, in Antigua.

The real positive in my mind about Strauss has been the way that he has been playing - in total contrast to his scratchy knocks last summer. If giving him the captaincy has played a part in this, and he feels responsible now for getting runs slightly quicker, then that's a good thing. It seemed that, despite scoring tons in New Zealand and twice in India, that he lacked the confidence to back himself, but now he resembles much more closely the cricketer that burst onto the scene in 2004.

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

I wonder why the West Indies decided on taking the new ball for the last 6 overs? They had England on the rack in the last session then promptly conceded 42 runs when they took it. Surely it would've made more sense to contain with spin, perhaps even taking another wicket, and then take the new ball in the morning with their bowling attack refreshed?

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

I wonder why the West Indies decided on taking the new ball for the last 6 overs? They had England on the rack in the last session then promptly conceded 42 runs when they took it. Surely it would've made more sense to contain with spin, perhaps even taking another wicket, and then take the new ball in the morning with their bowling attack refreshed?

To be fair I thought it made sense, and had Taylor caught KP then would have been totally vindicated. The only thing that didn't make sense was giving it to Taylor for 1 over and then bringing Powell on.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Petiersen out, go Ravi!!

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Sounds like a really good battle going on between Edwards and Bopara. Edwards keeps bouncing him, and Ravi's taking it on. He's a couple of 4's and a 6, but Edwards has just pinned him.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Sounds like a really good battle going on between Edwards and Bopara. Edwards keeps bouncing him, and Ravi's taking it on. He's a couple of 4's and a 6, but Edwards has just pinned him.

Absolutely brilliant session of cricket. Best I've seen for yonks, the type that makes you wonder why we bothered with all those ****-poor games against the Kiwis.

Fidel Edwards gave Bopara a right working over with the short ball, but Ravi took him on and got away with it. He should have been caught on 3, but hit a 6 that just cleared the sub fielder who could only palm it over the bar. A couple of other hooks went wide of the fielders, including one which looped up in the air but fell safely in deep midwicket. Edwards though pinned him as BB says and broke Ravi's grill, cutting him beneath the eye.

Collingwood has been playing really well these last couple of games and Bopara has shown glimpses of his class, particularly against the spinners and the fast-mediums.

This session is the reason test cricket is the best sport in the world.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Collingwood out going for the glory boundary to get his ton, why oh why???

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

Well, the West Indies are already reduced to saving the game. What's the betting Bopara gets out in his 90's?

 

[canveyshrimper]

Hope he gets his ton from here. Shame I missed the lunch/tea session sounded brilliant.

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

Hurrah for Ravi! Glad to be proved wrong. Declaration when Ambrose gets his ton or gets out?