England v West Indies 1st Test

[BrettieAngell]

80-5, just saw 3 wickets after getting home from work. Windies are awful.

 

[canveyshrimper]

80-5, just saw 3 wickets after getting home from work. Windies are awful.

Harsh, but sadly true, with Gayle, Sarwan & Chanderpaul back in the hutch it's just a matter of how long it will take England to knock over the last 5.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Harsh, but sadly true, with Gayle, Sarwan & Chanderpaul back in the hutch it's just a matter of how long it will take England to knock over the last 5.

Yep, Edwards is the only one who could walk away from this with his head held high at the moment.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Well played Nash & Ramdin as England will have to bat again, I wouldn't have bet on that at lunchtime.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Well played Nash & Ramdin as England will have to bat again, I wouldn't have bet on that at lunchtime.

9 down now, 24 in front all over bar the shouting.

 

[canveyshrimper]

9 down now, 24 in front all over bar the shouting.

It should be now Cook has held a steepler to get rid of Nash, England need 32 to win.

 

[Davros]

whats the chances we lose about 3 wickets getting to 32?

 

[canveyshrimper]

whats the chances we lose about 3 wickets getting to 32?

None, as England wrap up the victory.

 

[undercovershrimper]

well done england expect much the same up at chester-le-street

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Excellent win albeit against a very poor Windies team. Still think I would change one or two things. If Bresnan isnt needed why not put an extra batsman in maybe Bell at 6. Althought I am guessing if Flintoff is fit for the Ashes he will be the one to come in. Bowling attack finally looks to have some bite to it though.

 

[Moridin]

Excellent win albeit against a very poor Windies team. Still think I would change one or two things. If Bresnan isnt needed why not put an extra batsman in maybe Bell at 6. Althought I am guessing if Flintoff is fit for the Ashes he will be the one to come in. Bowling attack finally looks to have some bite to it though.

Agreed, I've never thought a side needs four seamers!

I would include Adil Rashid rather than Bell though. With Swann playing as well as he is, we wouldn't be putting too much pressure on his bowling, and batting at 7 or 8 I thing would be an ideal starting point.

With a First Class average of 32.16, and 2 hundreds and 11 fifties, he should be more than capable.

His bowling stats stack up well to, 184 wickets at 33.34 and a strike rate of 56.5 over 46 matches, his leg breaks are an exciting prospect.

Maybe a good idea to try him out against the Windies tail.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Bell and Sideshow recalled.

How depressing.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Bell and Sideshow recalled.

How depressing.

Agreed, Durham in May will not be a venue that will require the side to have two spinners, so I can see the logic of selecting a "fast" bowler, but why Sidebottom, and I can't fathom why Bell is back in the squad, unless there is an injury concern.

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

England win the toss and decide to bat, both teams unchanged from Lords.

England 1-0 in the 2nd over.

 

[canveyshrimper]

72/1 in the 23rd over. Strauss out for 26. Essex at the crease.

 

[The General]

Essex put on a 100+ runs in that session and its tea time. Good work Cooky and Ravi!

Kev

 

[Pubey]

essex, essex, essex!

Cook gets his ton

Strauss c Ramdin b Gayle 26

Cook not out 109

Bopara not out 80

Total
for 1 238 (74.2 ovs)

 

[BrettieAngell]

A double ton would be nice for a change!!

 

[BrettieAngell]

Ravi going into one-day mode for a few balls there! 99 not out.......

 

[The General]

Couple of very good knocks, although Ravi succombs on 108 after he got clean bowled. Cook 120 odd not out and his highest score is 139 and is yet to hit a double-century, so im sure thats the aim for tomorrow!

Kev