Fifth Test, Trinidad (day four, close):
West Indies 544 v England 546-6 dec & 80-3
England retained hopes of squaring the series after closing day four of the final Test with a lead of 82 at 80-3. They could not take a wicket before lunch as Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash shared 234 in 82 overs. Nash scored a maiden Test century and Chanderpaul, having been given out on 92 only to stay in after a referral, was unbeaten on 147 in a total of 544. England lost two wickets in the first six overs but their bid rests with Kevin Pietersen who made a positive 34. LATEST ACTION (ALL TIMES GMT)  | 606: DEBATE |
e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Mark Mitchener' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used) 2140: Well, that last hour or so got quite tasty - I'd imagine that a few of the England fans out in Trinidad who spent today at the beach may return to the Queen's Park Oval tomorrow in case there's an exciting finish. (As opposed to those who went to the beach on day four in Barbados - hardly any of them returned for day five!). And thanks for all your e-mails and texts today (whether you were born in Farnborough Hospital or not) - sorry if we didn't have room to use yours. Don't forget to tune in to Five Live tonight for Alison Mitchell's updates from the Women's World Cup match between England and India in Sydney (play starts at 2300 GMT), or you can follow the scores on the website. We'll be back for day five's action from Trinidad tomorrow - see you then. "Had to comment on a fantastic discussion between Aggers and Deryck Murray during the tea interval. Brilliant memories and acutely knowledgeable insights. Don't get that on Sky! Great job guys!"
Fitzroy Andrew, Bedfordshire, in the TMS inbox CLOSE OF PLAY (DAY FOUR) 2132 - Eng 80-3 (15 overs)
Edwards digs in a bouncer to KP which hits him on the arm - it's also a no-ball. KP then dismissively swats a single down to long leg. Colly ducks a bouncer, then gets off the mark with a single off his legs. The last ball is an "absolute rip-snorter" according to Aggers, and somehow it flies off the bat and over the keeper for four. England close the day 82 runs ahead. "Re: 1824. I have just cooked myself a rather large salad which involved a 500g steak. In honour of todays comments I have called it the "Jabba Salad"
Dom in Luxembourg, in the TMS inbox
[Can't imagine Jabba ate too many salads - MM] 2127 - Eng 72-3 (14 overs)
Colly sees off the rest of the over, and we may only have time for one more after all those referrals. 2126 - Eng 72-3 (13.4 overs)
Umpire Harper makes the "safe" sign - Colly can continue and the Windies have burned the last of their two referrals. 2123 - Eng 72-3 or 72-4 (13.4 overs)
It's referral crazy here. The TMS screen is working again (Vic accidentally kicked a cable under the desk). Paul Collingwood plays forward to his first ball, is hit on the knee-roll, umpire Harper says 'not out' but the Windies refer it! 2121 - WICKET - Cook c Ramdin b Hinds 24 - Eng 72-3 (13.3 overs)
The TMS team's monitor has gone bust - they're looking at a blue screen and hoping third umpire Aleem Dar's screen isn't similarly affected. Harper's on the walkie-talkie, and the decision is... out! 2118 - Eng 72-2 or 72-3 (13.3 overs)
12th man Ryan Sidebottom, last seen moping a round the outfield at the Kensington Oval, comes on with a drink for KP, who then tickles Hinds round the corner for a single. Vic Marks on TMS comes out with the splended idea that the "Pink Panther" theme tune should be played while we wait for referral decisions to be made. (Or would that make people think Inspector Clouseau was third umpire?!) Hinds then thinks he has Cook caught behind - Harper raises his finger - but the Essex man calls for a referral! "Apropos the World Baseball Classic [see 1801], it's been my experience that following both cricket and baseball leaves you with a standing in the sporting hierarchy a little above that of Wife Carrying enthusiasts. The Americans laugh at you for liking cricket; the English for you liking baseball; the Europeans for liking either of them. Still, here's to another spectacular year of failure by both England and the Mets..."
Jason in SW7, in the TMS inbox 2114 - Eng 71-2 (13 overs)
Aggers tries to wind Vic Marks up on TMS by claiming to see Jimmy Anderson padded up as nightwatchman on the England balcony - surely not even England would be that defensive? Cookie and KP keep rotating the strike well against Edwards, who helps the scoreboard tick over with another no-ball. "Matt Prior's net score is now only 97 (131 less 34 byes conceded)"
Powerpants in Leeds, in the TMS inbox 2109 - Eng 66-2 (12 overs)
Ryan Hinds is into the attack for some left-arm spin. Cook squirts his first ball down to third man for a couple, the Windies seem happy to allow the ones and twos at this stage. KP may fancy himself against Hinds (no idea if he sees him as a "pie-thrower" like Yuvraj Singh) - and true to form, he slog-sweeps him for six over mid-wicket! "Mark, If you're going to post links to hospital websites [see 1711], I feel duty bound to remind the public that other hospitals are available"
James in the TMS inbox 2105 - Eng 55-2 (11 overs)
Gayle's off, Edwards is back on and gets as far as his delivery stride before pulling away. Cook steers a single through the covers, but picks out the fleet-footed Nash who is arguably the Windies' best fielder. Edwards slings in a no-ball, and the singles keep coming. "Can Mr Extras play for us in the ODIs as he looks like a decent player? Doesn't have the strike rate for the Twenty20 though!"
Gavin, Cheshire, in the TMS inbox 2059 - Eng 49-2 (10 overs)
KP shows off his "flamingo" shot, flicking a length ball from Baker through mid-wicket for four off one leg. He then skies one towards the cover boundary... but it falls well short of Lendl Simmons running in. Cook steers another single, this is probably the quickest scoring session in the match. "Having sat through three days of tedious play in Trinidad, made the decision last night to jump on the first available flight and am now lying on the beach in Tobago with the sea splashing at my feet! Games like this won't stop people doing overseas cricket tours, you just won't go to the cricket! Now where is my pina colada?"
Rob, now in Tobago, in the TMS inbox 2055 - Eng 43-2 (9 overs)
Gayle tosses it up, and Cook and KP keep pushing the ones and twos. Nine overs left tonight. "I'm off to the Princess Royal for an MRI tomorrow (It takes longer to get one on the NHS than it does Chris Gayle in the Windies). I'll ask the receptionist what they think and email you tomorrow. It has to be said that regardless of the address residents of that area vote for a London mayor and are therefore Londoners!"
Robin, Bromley, in the TMS inbox 2053 - Eng 37-2 (8 overs)
KP tips-and-runs Baker, Cook jabs another. Candidate for "shot of the day" from Pietersen as a classy cover drive brings his first boundary of the second innings. He shows further intent with another quickly-run two. "Has anyone else noticed that in this series which has been dominated by the bat, Kevin Pietersen is yet to score a century. After Chanderpaul's knock it's eight centuries for each team. This is particularly ironic as KP scored a century in every Test series of 2008"
Joe the Statto in the TMS inbox 2049 - Eng 29-2 (7 overs)
Cook turns Gayle off his legs for a single, and KP is off the mark with another. "So basically Gayle was faking it?"
George, via text on 81111 2045 - Eng 27-2 (6 overs)
New batsman is Kevin Pietersen - and as we know, he only really plays one way. But he shoulders arms to his first delivery from Baker, before defending his second. 2043 - WICKET - Shah c Ramdin b Baker 1 - Eng 27-2 (5.4 overs)
But Shah perishes quickly when he has a big heave and bottom-edges Baker behind to keeper Ramdin! 2039 - Eng 27-1 (5 overs)
Owais Shah is the new batsman - will he look for quick runs or will he feel under pressure to cement his place at number three? His first ball is a steered single through mid-wicket. 2037 - WICKET - Strauss c & b Gayle 14 - Eng 26-1 (4.5 overs)
A very strange bowling change, as Edwards is off and Gayle puts himself on! Geoff Boycott on TMS wonders whether a "Sobers declaration" is Gayle's aim, if England set West Indies around 200 to win. Gayle's run-up to bowl his slow off-spin is possibly the slowest in world cricket anyway, but he's walking in even more gingerly then normal. Strauss has no qualms about belting a four through the covers, but then pops a return catch to the Jamaican! What a bowling change, I take it all back! 2033 - Eng 19-0 (4 overs)
More tipping-and-running from England. We have another 14 overs to be bowled after this one, and with the West Indian fast bowlers (and their long run-ups) on, it looks like we may need the full extra half-hour to get them all in. (Official close of play is 2100 GMT, but they can continue until 2130 to get all the day's 90 overs in). A couple of byes also advance the score. "Why aren't KP and Prior opening the batting? Blaze 150 odd in quick time, declare and put the pressure on the Windies. You never know"
Alex, London, via text on 81111 2030 - Eng 15-0 (3.1 overs)
Third umpire Aleem Dar examines the replays, it's not hugely conclusive... and Umpire Harper gives the signal (similar to a baseball umpire indicating a baserunner is "safe") indicating that Strauss is not out and can continue. "It's a good test for Strauss as captain to see what he does here. I have always thought he was kinda cautious but we will wait and see."
Highestscore17 on 606
Join the debate on 606 2027 - Eng 15-0 (3.1 overs)
Strauss flashes outside off stump, Ramdin claims the catch but Umpire Harper says "not out". So, the Windies claim yet another of these interminable referrals... "I'm sorry to disappoint Olly and Clare but the Princess Royal Hospital [see 1711] is indisputably located within the GLA boundary and the boundary of the London Borough of Bromley, and as such, is part of London. The address is an historical oddity, in the same way that Croydon and Kingston are often described as parts of Surrey in addresses, when in fact they are also in London. Kent County Council have about as much control or influence over the hospital as England have over Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the moment"
Jon, within the GLA boundary, London, in the TMS inbox 2026 - Eng 15-0 (3 overs)
Cook dabs Edwards into the covers for a quick single, then his captain cuts for four before smearing a three through mid-wicket. England certainly seem to be "getting on with it" as Cook pops a single down to third man. Strauss moves to eight with another tip-and-run. "I've had enough of us English having a go at the pitches and the like. Fact is we're not good enough and the Windies deserve a bit of credit. So here's to you Chris Gayle and the rest of the team - may this be a revival in West Indian cricket!"
IlCucchiaio on 606
Join the debate on 606 2021 - Eng 5-0 (2 overs)
Lionel Baker takes the second over, and Cook gets England under way with a clip off his legs down to a (very fine) fine leg for four. He then nudges a single past gully. "When Bournemouth was in Hampshire [see 1526], they used to have some of the county matches there. My boyfriend told me that his dad once drove him all the way down there from Southampton only to sit in the rain in the car when he was a little lad. But then, they also had Hampshire matches on the Isle of Wight and that is practically a different country"
Lauren, London, in the TMS inbox[They played at Bournemouth until 1992, long after the boundary change, and are considering returning to the Isle of Wight in the future - MM]
REPORT: Hampshire could return to IOW 2016 - Eng 0-0 (1 over)
Fidel Edwards takes the new ball - thankfully, the mental arithmetic here is dead easy, you just need to add two runs to the England score to determine the overall lead. Strauss plays out a maiden over. "Is anyone else feeling quite annoyed at the slapstick nature of the referral system? The standard of umpiring in this match has been atrocious. I could do better and I've only ever officiated in one match - a Students v Teachers match at my old school, where I got a barrage of abuse from one former teacher of mine for giving him out lbw. Poor show on his part!"
Matt in the TMS inbox 2010: England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook walk out - and rather surprisingly, hamstring injury victim Chris Gayle is out on the field! A situation which even bemuses Sir Viv on TMS, who would like to see vice-captain Ramdin given an opportunity to lead the side in the field. "If England lose the series surely their negativity is to blame rather than the Windies. After all it was England's failure to push on & look for an earlier declaration in the third Test that was to blame for them entering this match behind in the series!"
Sleva, via text on 81111
[I was at the third Test and I said exactly the same - MM] "Re Tim in Halifax [see 1639] - if good money goes to Comic Relief, then I would, yes. As for wondering - told I look a bit like Amanda Holden"
Gina in Gloucestershire, in the TMS inbox "I reckon at stumps it should be handshakes all round and off for a game of golf in the morning."
Gumbootandsinglet on 606
Join the debate on 606 2001: So, will England get off to a flier tonight, given that it's their only hope of squaring the series? Opinion seems divided in the TMS box over whether they will do so. "On the subject of playing with/against Nashy (see 1600 & 1923), he played a season in the Kent League a few years ago. After failing with the bat, he was most notable in our match for ridiculous sledging after each delivery he bowled. Made even more ridiculous now that he's been clocked at a frightening 70mph! As for Khan's Kent League antics, no surprises there - constant no-balls followed by wayward attempts at pace, easy pickings all round"
Mike, thoroughly bored in London, in the TMS inbox WEST INDIES FIRST INNINGS - ENGLAND LEAD BY TWO RUNS 1959 - WICKET - Baker lbw b Swann 0 - WI 544 all out (178.4 overs)
It's close, what will the verdict be? Out! So West Indies' marathon innings is over, Baker has a Test average of 0.00 (even below Chris Martin), England have a two-run first-innings lead and miss out on the "most byes in an innings" and "most extras in an innings" by two runs on both counts. 1958 - WI 544-9 or 544 all out (178.4 overs)
Well, Chanderpaul clearly doesn't have much faith in Baker's batting, as he turns down a single off the first ball of the over. Swann responds by bringing the field up. But when he does take a single, Baker offers no shot, pads up and England appeal for lbw. Umpire Harper raises his finger, but with nothing to lose and one referral remaining in this innings, Baker refers the decision! 1954 - WI 543-9 (178 overs)
New batsman is last man Lionel Baker, who's yet another left-hander. He is yet to score a Test run (nought not out from his only previous Test innings) but sees off the rest of Broad's over. 1951 - Edwards c Prior b Broad 8 - WI 543-9 (177.4 overs)
Anderson's largely unrewarded spell of bowling is ended as Broad rejoins the attack. As well as his father Chris (ex-England opener and now ICC match referee), also making her way in the cricket world is Stuart's sister Gemma, who is with England's women's team at the World Cup as team analyst. But Stuart's the man of the moment as he induces a feathered edge from Edwards, Prior takes the catch and after what seems like an absolute eternity, Umpire Tiffin raises his finger. "I think that as a consequence of these pitches, the Windies have (a) lost a lot of neutral fans around the world, (b) lost a lot of fans at home (how can you be passionate about your team winning a series in this fashion?), (c) lost a lot of revenue from potential future fans who would travel to support their team on a tour of the Windies. I for one am glad I didn't drop £5,000 travelling there to watch this snoozefest"
Moutarde on 606
Join the debate on 606 1947 - WI 543-8 (177 overs)
A single takes Chanderpaul to 147, and Edwards resists the temptation to hit out against Swann and dabs a single of his own. Do feel free to phone BBC TV Centre if we all nod off here - England's lead is down to three. "I laughed when I read at the top of the page the option to 'email this to a friend'... What sort of confused message would I be sending if I emailed this Test match to someone I considered to be a friend"
Stuart in Kent, looking forward to my next round of golf, in the TMS inbox 1944 - WI 541-8 (176 overs)
Edwards defends well against Anderson after Chanderpaul takes his customary single. Fidel is on seven - I can tell you his best Test score is 21, and highest first-class score is 40. "How anyone could include Kallis in a 'boring XI' [see text at 1912], with 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in Tests it's a bit of a non-starter. What about Boycott and Tavare to open with Neil McKenzie at three, Dravid at four then Shiv at five? 800 here we come"
Ian, via text on 81111 1939 - WI 540-8 (175 overs)
Chanderpaul and Edwards milk Swann for a single apiece, and are denied further runs by a superb diving stop by Monty "Jonty" Panesar. 1936 - WI 538-8 (174 overs)
Chanderpaul rotates the strike with a single, then a smart stop by Prior prevents the four byes which would break the Test record - the total is currently 34, with the record standing at 37. But another fumble from the Sussex gloveman sees them trot through for a bye to take the total to 35. "Re: CMJ/Bruce Willis photo [1512] - it would also seem that Sir Viv has transformed into Hot Chocolate singing sensation Errol Brown"
Mark NG in the TMS inbox 1932 - WI 536-8 (173 overs)
Will Edwards take Swann on? No - strangely, he seems more willing to attack Anderson than the spinner! Maiden over. "Sorry to say but the England bowlers have looked very ordinary throughout this series and have looked about as threatening as a Winnie the Pooh cartoon. Must admit that the West Indies cheerleaders have been much more interesting than the match at times…"
Gareth Richards in the TMS inbox 1928 - DROPPED CATCH - WI 536-8 (172 overs)
Prior adjusts his sunglasses (while still wearing his wicketkeeping gloves) and after the batsmen exchange singles, Edwards (in the manner of a golfer chipping onto the green, according to Aggers) comes down the pitch and swipes a four over mid-off. Another single brings Chanderpaul back on strike, he edges to second slip... and Paul Collingwood puts the catch down! "Anderson could have had five wickets today, he's bowled beautifully with that old ball"
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on TMS 1923 - WI 529-8 (171 overs)
Swann's field scatters in order for Chanderpaul to take a single off the first ball. Windies trail by just 18 now. CMJ thinks Edwards will take on the off-spinner, but he misses one which creeps under his bat. Fidel is off the mark with a single just past silly point. "I played AGAINST Brendan Nash while he was in Pembrokeshire [see 1600]. Last memory of him is when he was getting run out for nought against us. Happy days"
Darren Thomas, Carew CC, in the TMS inbox 1919 - WI 527-8 (170 overs)
So, can Anderson dislodge "The Crab" and have a pop at the tail-enders? Chanderpaul takes an easy single, which England won't mind. However, Edwards sees off the rest of the over safely. And a few of you are still rather concerned with the discussion earlier [see 1525] about the controversial 1974 boundary changes: "1974 still causes bad feeling with my father too. He was born in Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, as it was then, and gets mildly apoplectic when reminded it now forms part of the West Midlands. A full discussion on the impact of the boundary changes may well be more interesting that the cricket" (Phil in Warwick)
"We in Somerset were delighted to have got rid of Bristol, to Avon, then even more pleased when Avon was erased from the map, that Bristol became part of Gloucestershire" (Dave in Yeovil) 1915 - WI 526-8 (169 overs)
New batsman is Fidel Edwards, and he plays and misses at Swann. 1912 - WICKET - Gayle c Strauss b Swann 102 - WI 526-8 (168.4 overs)
Chanderpaul flicks Swanny through mid-wicket for a comfortable single. Gayle has a huge heave, it skies to deep extra cover, Jimmy Anderson runs back and he's usually got safe hands... but Anderson puts the chance down! They ran two there. No matter, as Gayle flashes at the next one and is sharply pouched by Strauss at short extra cover! "Can anyone think of a dullest cricket XI? The current bore-fest has got me thinking. Current top six: Cook, McKenzie, Kallis, Chanderpaul, Collingwood, Nash. Any advice for keepers and bowlers to complete the XI?"
Phil, Manchester, via text on 81111 1909 - WI 523-7 (168 overs)
Now then, what can we expect from Gayle? Anderson slings in a legside bouncer which has him hobbling around, and he somehow makes his way through a maiden over. But if Gayle's not going to tee off, what on earth was the point of his coming back in? "This series has been like a game of football where the unfancied side scores in the first minute and then takes the ball into the corner and keeps it there for the remaining 89 minutes. In other words, a pitiful spectacle, and surely the worst series in living memory"
Neil (Location: as far away from the TV as possible), in the TMS inbox 1905 - WI 523-7 (167 overs)
With two left-handers back together, Swann replaces Panesar, bowling to Chanderpaul for the 336th ball of his innings. A four through mid-wicket off his 340th takes his score to 137 - which is his highest Test score against England. "I'm rather disappointed that Chanderpaul hasn't decided he needs a runner too, as then we could have some real fun!"
Christopher Martin-Jenkins on TMS 1859: As the final session of the day begins, hamstring injury victim Chris Gayle is resuming his innings - with a runner! Devon Smith is the runner - Gayle is 100 not out. "I refuse to believe that I could possibly be the first person to suggest a return to uncovered pitches. What does anyone else think? Uncovered pitches, four-day Test matches, with 100 overs a day (10 run penalty for every uncompleted over) could just save Test cricket. Or loads of horrific facial injuries a la Gatting 1986. Anything is better than this"
Mark Coleman in the TMS inbox
England in West Indies 1986: Marshall breaks Gatting's nose TEA INTERVAL 1842: While the players take tea, also on the BBC website today you can take a look at a behind-the-scenes photo gallery of England's preparations for the Women's World Cup - courtesy of England spinner Laura Marsh.
Women's World Cup photo diary 1840 - WICKET - Ramdin lbw b Anderson 15 - WI 519-7 (166 overs)
Owais Shah shares a joke with umpire Daryl Harper at square leg as Anderson continues to toil away without success... until he finally gets the wicket he deserves for a fine spell when he gets one to reverse back and it traps Ramdin plumb in front of all three. And they'll take tea. 1836 - WI 519-6 (165 overs)
Not long until tea - but Monty will continue with the old ball. He hits Chanderpaul on the pad and jumps up and down to appeal for lbw, but umpire Harper is unmoved. "There was a make of a car which used to go as fast backwards as it would go forwards - Monty possibly goes faster backwards than he does forwards", recalls Aggers , while Sir Viv compares the Montster's "scary" eyes to those of Sir Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs. Maiden over. "I kind of get the feeling that today's play is going to be reminiscent of an episode of 2 Point Four Children - extremely tedious, very irritating and not particularly entertaining - I'm not holding out for any fireworks!"
Thomas Moffatt, Douglas, Isle of Man, in the TMS inbox 1832 - WI 519-6 (164 overs)
Jimmy sends down an absolute jaffa which moves late, but it misses Chanderpaul's edge once more. A single takes the Master of Guyana to 133, but despite bowling tightly, Anderson remains wicketless after 26 overs. And the third new ball is available. "This is all completely pointless, and another nail in the coffin of Test cricket. Very very sad"
Stuart in the TMS inbox 1827 - WI 518-6 (163 overs)
Chanderpaul nudges a single off a rapid Monty over, and CMJ has a go at singing little-known Abba song "On And On And On"... 1824 - WI 517-6 (162 overs)
Anderson replaces Khan as the Windies continue to chip away at England's narrowing lead. Chanderpaul gets another edge, but it's still not Jimmy's day as it races between the slips for four. He then pinches the strike again, and ICC regional umpiring supervisor John Holder (an ex-Hampshire player!) comes on with fresh walkie-talkies for the umpires. Has Chanderpaul really been batting that long that their batteries have run out? "Re: 1748, I'm eating a spinach and apple smoothie (detox diet) and it looks like something that Jar Jar Binks may have regurgitated. I'm hoping it will take a wicket though"
Keith, Leeds, via text on 81111
[Meesa thinka England gonna lose the series - MM] 1820 - WI 512-6 (161 overs)
Panesar beats Chanderpaul's outside edge, while CMJ informs TMS listeners that if you listen to BBC Radio 5 Live tonight, you can hear half-hourly updates from England's Women's World Cup game against India from Alison Mitchell. Just a single from the over.
Women's World Cup 2009: Fixtures and resultsTMS BLOG: Alison Mitchell reports from the Women's World Cup 1817 - WI 511-6 (160 overs)
After a single from Chanderpaul to his favoured fine leg area, Ramdin blasts Khan through mid-wicket for four before flicking another one over the slips and it sails away. He has 15, The Crab has 125. "When Frank Woolley gave up 37 byes in a Test innings, not only did he don the gloves at the grand old age of 47, he was deputising for the injured Les Ames!"
BBC Sport's Oliver Brett, not in the TMS inbox
[England have conceded 34 in this innings - three short of Woolley's Test record - MM] 1812 - WI 502-6 (159 overs)
Cap'n Strauss has a quick word with Monty before shuffling the field. But the result is a maiden over to Ramdin. Monty has figures of 40-5-112-2. "Re: the ongoing discussion on Kentish Men - both of my sons were born in Farnborough Hospital but they are without doubt Lancastrians - it's genetic, the eldest (3yrs) already shows a natural affinity towards gravy. This is notwithstanding the fact that my own origins were relocated to Merseyside whilst still at the foetal stage during the same aforementioned 1974 boundary upheaval"
Horners in Beckenham in the TMS inbox
[Quite - being a Kentish Man by birth doesn't stop me being a Hampshire man by ancestry and residence since age 2... MM] 1809 - WI 502-6 (158 overs)
Tony Cozier on TMS thinks England are giving Chanderpaul an easy single so they can bowl at Ramdin (who scored 166 in the last Test...). Chanderpaul takes the bait, then Amjad gets one to jag back and hit Ramdin on the pad, but it's clearly too high, despite a bouncing lbw appeal from the Danish Man of Kent. Ramdin adds another single. 1804 - WI 500-6 (157 overs)
A mere four overs after I suggested it, Monty replaces Swann. Ramdin steers a four through point to bring up 500, and the camera cuts straight to the TV commentary box where Nasser Hussain (see earlier) is completely failing to get his kit off as he promised... "Am I the only one wondering if England are missing the always reliable Matthew Hoggard? Hoggy, your country needs you!"
darrend1234
Join the debate on 606 1801 - WI 496-6 (156 overs)
Chanderpaul steers Khan through mid-wicket for a double. Which reminds me, I've almost forgotten to check on how the World Baseball Classic (effectively the Baseball World Cup) is going. Australia beat Mexico 17-7 - they must have been playing on a pitch similar to that in Barbados considering the number of runs scored... Back in Trinidad, Chris Gayle is padded up - indicating that he intends to bat with a runner and resume his innings on 100 not out. A single and a leg-bye rotate the strike, and Nasser Hussain (see 1553) had better get ready...
INTERNET LINK: World Baseball Classic official site 1756 - WI 492-6 (155 overs)
With right-hander Ramdin in, Swann gets to bowl over the wicket for possibly the first time today. But the Windies keeper steers an easy two to third man. "Mark. Why don't they just agree on a draw and have a Twenty20 thrash tomorrow? Anything has to be better than this!"
Simon, East Sussex, in the TMS inbox 1752 - WI 490-6 (154 overs)
Caribbean broadcasting legend Tony Cozier on TMS ponders whether referrals should be extended to allow the third umpire to "phone a friend" or "ask the audience" as in "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". Chanderpaul steers Amjad for two, before removing his helmet to wipe his no-doubt-sweaty brow. "What chance Amjad becoming the next one-Test wonder?"
George in Southampton, in the TMS inbox 1748 - WI 488-6 (153 overs)
Chanderpaul sweeps Swann for another four, then nicks the strike with a single. Not really Swanny's day, time for another burst from the Montster at right-hander Ramdin? "Yesterday at 1844 you posted a picture of a sandwich that looked uncannily like a Star Destroyer. Today for my lunch, after taking a bite out of my burger, I noticed it looked almost exactly like the Millennium Falcon. Anyone else having a Star Wars food moment?"
Jon Tattersall, Birmingham, in the TMS inbox[Just don't eat so many burgers that you get compared to Jabba the Hutt - MM] 1745 - WI 483-6 (152 overs)
Bowling change as Broad is replaced by the Danish Man of Kent. A single takes Chanderpaul to 113, Ramdin is yet to score but sees off the rest of Khan's over. "Did anyone see the BBC Sport website list of candidates for English cricket coach? Where are all the top class coaches? Why aren't some ex-players interested in trying to coach their national side rather than bemoan their performances from the commentary box? This team will be as competitive as British tennis before long. The ECB set the standard when the sacked KP. Say no more"
James, seriously annoyed at work in Essex, in the TMS inbox
FEATURE: Who wants to be England coach? (by Pranav Soneji) 1739: An impromptu drinks break is taken as new batsman Denesh Ramdin - who I saw double his previous best Test score in Barbados last week - makes his way to the crease. Meanwhile, the extras have crept up to 72 - the second-highest total in Test history, and four short of the all-time record. "Anyone who sat through Kent's dismal extras totals game after game last season will not be in the least bit surprised that Amjad is racking them up again and one wonders what the potential new England coach, Ford, was doing half the time?!"
Andy from Bromley, Kent, in the TMS inbox 1736 - WICKET - Hinds st Prior b Swann 23 - WI 482-6 (151 overs)
Swann to persevere, bowling around the wicket to the two left-handers. Chanderpaul nudges a single, Hinds flicks a four off his legs. Then, Hinds dances down the track and goes for a big mow in a "Tino-mind-the-windows-Best" style, and is smartly stumped. "I am going to paint my bathroom later on. If anyone gets bored with the cricket and wants to watch some paint dry, give me a call"
Captain Caveman (aka Thomas Lawlor) in the TMS inbox 1733 - WI 477-5 (150 overs)
England are out of luck once more as left-hander Hinds edges Broad and it goes between keeper Prior and solitary slip Strauss - who's standing wide - and it goes past his right hand for four. "In a bid to spice up the pitches, the ICC should invite Tiger Woods to teach eight-year-olds on the wicket if there has not been two innings finished by lunch on the fourth day. At least the fans would have some entertainment!"
Dan, very bored student in Swansea, via text on 81111 1728 - WI 473-5 (149 overs)
Swann to wheel away for his 36th over, Chanderpaul turns him off his legs and sets off for the run that will bring him a century... but Hinds turns down the run! Surely Shiv won't injure himself running a quick single to get from 99 to 100 like his captain did yesterday? Nope - he on-drives successfully for four. That's his fifth Test ton against England, and 21st overall. From 288 balls. "The Crab" then cuts loose with a slog-swept six! "With all this debate about who should bat three for England and who should keep wicket, why not bat Prior at three (his batting has been good this series) and then let Ambrose keep so that extras doesn't get a half century every game, and catches and stumpings will be taken?"
Eadesie, Hagley CC (175 years old this year!) in the TMS inbox 1724 - WI 461-5 (148 overs)
Broad is bowling with "great heart", says CMJ MBE, "but with Chanderpaul in it's like bowling at a wall". The aforementioned Chanderpaul looks like his groin injury is giving him a bit of pain, but he hobbles through for a quick single to reach 99. "There will be a more interesting contest continuing in my living room this evening as my 20-month-old son who is prepared to play a Chanderpaul-esque long game, will moan and cry for as long as it takes to get a gingerbread man. While my wife will, in the style of the England bowlers, probably crack at around 1820!"
Rob, Northants in the TMS inbox 1719 - WI 460-5 (147 overs)
Swann raps Hinds on the pad, it looked out... but umpire Harper shakes his head. Poor Swanny. "What's wrong with that?" asks Sam Lyon, sat on my left. Now, he really could be a pearly king (or queen) with his cockney accent... Buoyed by his lucky escape, Hinds hoists Swann over his head into the stand for six, where the ball is retrieved by a Bernie Ecclestone lookalike. 1717 - WI 454-5 (146 overs)
Chanderpaul, on 98, resumes his defiance against the flaxen-haired Broad. Aggers reveals Shiv has never scored a hundred on the ground - which is surprising, considering he has 20 Test tons before today. "Have to agree with Robert from Bristol' - the bowling has been impotent - they have worked hard but like bite. This has hardly been a good advert for test cricket at a time when attendencies outside of Blighty is a concern"
Edward, Slough, via text on 81111 1711 - WI 454-5 (145 overs)
After a single from Hinds, Chanderpaul sweeps at Swann and it strikes short-leg Ali Cook a mighty blow on the arm. They run one. "As I grew up around the corner from said hospital, I feel duty bound to clear up this mess. Bromley is a London borough, but parts of it are in Kent, and parts in greater London. This is the address as described on Farnborough Hospital's website: Princess Royal University Hospital (formerly Farnborough Hospital), Farnborough Common, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8ND - no mention of London whatsoever. Not a pearly king or queen in sight. Now, can someone give us a wicket before we descend into debating the cricketer with the most dubious nationality?"
Olly in the TMS inbox
[You mean they renamed the hospital? Without asking me? MM]
INTERNET LINK: The hospital formerly known as Farnborough 1709 - WI 452-5 (144 overs)
Broad goes round the wicket to The Crab, who's on 97, and scuttles around to play out a maiden. "Mark, should England not be adopting the same attitude while bowling in this innings as they do in the last overs of an ODI? 'You miss, I hit!' I think is the phrase. Get it in full, fast and straight and we'll knock them over!"
Charles, University of Toronto Student's Union, in the TMS inbox 1704 - WI 452-5 (143 overs)
The Windies' marathon innings continues - Chanderpaul smears Swann for another four to take his score to 96. He then dabs a single through the covers. "For some reason I keep thinking, 'If we can just get one wicket we can roll the rest over', or 'If we can set them 200 in two sessions we've got a chance'. But the reality is, we have no chance of winning this now. And I know it. Do you think supporters of other Test nations experience this type of optimistic pessimism, or is it just an English thing?"
Charlie in the TMS inbox 1701 - WI 447-5 (142 overs)
"Cricket needs wickets for interest", notes CMJ, as Hinds gets off the mark with a beautiful straight-drive for four. As if to prove it wasn't a fluke, he steers another boundary through the covers. "Re: 1449 - Mark. Sir Viv wasn't staying in the same hotel as you last week: you were staying in the same hotel as him. Big difference!"
Steve in Kobe, Japan (wondering whether it's worth staying up all night to follow this) in the TMS inbox
[Even though I checked in the day before he did? MM] 1658 - WI 439-5 (141 overs)
Swann looks understandably disconsolate. But there's not much England can do about it. 1656 - WI 439-5 (140.5 overs)
So, does the third umpire (Aleem Dar) have "high confidence" that the decision should be overruled? We see a number of angles, and the verdict is... Not Out! So Chanderpaul remains, and West Indies keep their final referral! 1653- WI 439-5 or 439-6 (140.5 overs)
Chanderpaul finds the gap between cover and point - then he appears to get a nick to Swann, Prior claims a catch, he's given out - but Chanderpaul claims a referral! "Sad to hear of the loss of Ken Snellgrove [see 1355]. Watched him many times in the 60s and 70s. An average county batsman with a brilliant throw who batted at four when he got the chance, ie when Clive Lloyd wasn't playing"
Steve in the TMS inbox 1650 - WI 437-5 (140 overs)
New batsman is Ryan Hinds (dropped from number four to number seven in the order, if you discount the nightwatchman's presence), who swishes and misses at his first ball but survives the rest of the over safely. "I too was born in Farnborough Hospital, and it is very definitely in Kent. If Dan [1526] reckons he's in London, he is entirely mistaken. He won't even have a London postcode living there, let alone a London dialling code"
Clare, Bromley, KENT, via text on 81111 "Anderson deserves part of the credit for that wicket, as he kept it tight well in that spell before lunch. Nash wasn't quite to the pitch of the ball, had a swing at it and Collingwood did the rest"
Sir Viv Richards on TMS 1646 - WICKET - Nash c Collingwood b Broad 109 - WI 437-5 (139.1 overs)
Stuart Broad to have another trundle - and his first ball sees Nash hang his bat out and slice into the hands of Paul Collingwood at second slip! 1644 - WI 437-4 (139 overs)
Hey, Mr Tambourine Man, take a wicket for me... but Chanderpaul carves Graeme Swann's first ball after lunch through the covers for four. Swanny has two slips and a short leg in, but "The Crab" survives the rest of the over with his carapace intact. "Have you seen Amjad Khan's arms? To me it looks like they bend (at the elbow) the wrong way. I'm amazed he can bowl any ball even remotely straight with those things!"
Chris in Belfast in the TMS inbox 1639: We're back again. West Indies still trail by 113, and if these two stay in much longer, Rahul Dravid may have to surrender his nickname of "The Wall"... "If I sponsor Gina [see 1451] enough money, will she come to work in my office on Comic Relief Day in her St Trinians outfit?"
Tim, Halifax, wondering what Gina really looks like, in the TMS inbox
Official BBC Comic Relief Red Nose Day website LUNCH INTERVAL 1604: Aggers thinks it's three nails in the coffin for England's hopes now, with just one more ready to be hammered in this afternoon. Can't really disagree with him - have a listen to TMS over the interval, and we'll be back in a bit. "If only Swann's bowling in this match was as menacing as he is with that tambourine, I didn't think you could be scared of someone who plays percussion"
Rohan in Leeds in the TMS inbox 1600 - WI 433-4 (138 overs)
Aggers reveals he's just been winding Sir Viv up about how the West Indies, if they win the series, may hold the Wisden Trophy for an exceedingly short amount of time if England win the return series in May. Nash nudges Jimmy for a single, a deft flick takes Chanderpaul to 86, then Nash drives hard through the covers and they run two. After a long over with a couple of hold-ups, that's lunch. "Played with Nashy 10 years ago for Lamphey CC in Pembrokeshire and he was class then. Nice catch for the Windies!"
Will Silcox in the TMS inbox 1555 - WI 429-4 (137 overs)
It's still KP, bowling in his shades, as the batsmen help themselves to some more singles as lunch approaches. "There have been no major lapses in the field, but England just don't know where the next wicket's coming from"
Former Somerset and England off-spinner Vic Marks on TMS 1553 - WI 427-4 (136 overs)
More of the same from Anderson, still holding the ball in his left hand as he runs in to conceal which way he's trying to swing it. But Nash is equal to anything the "Burnley Express" can bowl at him. Maiden over. "Nasser Hussain said he would strip naked in the middle of the pitch if Windies reach 500. He must be down to his underwear by now"
Sukh from Hounslow, via text on 81111 1548 - WI 427-4 (135 overs)
A wild throw by Strauss at extra cover almost allows the Windies an overthrow, but KP's bowling is easy picking for the batsmen who help themselves to a single apiece. "So frustrating.. only England could lose a series when the batsmen have contributed 2,588 runs at an average of 50.7 per wicket throughout the series. When was the last time that happened? Our bowlers, irrespective of the pitches, need to take a hard look at themselves"
Robert, Bristol, in the TMS inbox 1545 - WI 425-4 (134 overs)
Chanderpaul takes a fresh guard (with the requisite banging-a-bail-into-the-crease) as Jimmy moves to bowl round the wicket. Shiv nudges him for four between slip and gully, and Anderson gives him a bit of chat as the ball is returned. Like that will have any effect on a man on 82 not out with the defensive skills of "The Crab"... Prior makes another good legside stop as Jimmy gets a bit of movement. Some comedy England fielding in the slip cordon allows the partnership to reach 222 - the highest fifth-wicket stand on this ground. "Re 1344 - Pranav, if you can bowl on the cut strip you are a better option than Amjad Khan..."
Mark, Bristol, in the TMS inbox 1540 - WI 420-4 (133 overs)
Monty's off and Strauss, looking for a breakthrough, throws the ball to Kevin Pietersen for his occasional right-arm off-spin. Chanderpaul dabs a single to leg, spoiling the threat of a rare KP maiden over. Someone told me KP's missus is still on that ice dancing show, so hasn't been able to join him in the Windies yet as all the other wives, girlfriends and children have. "Where do you think West Indies will stop - 650, 700, 750 or will they try and bat till the end of Day 5?"
lettsy_1 on 606
Join the debate on 606 1536 - WI 419-4 (132 overs)
Nash ducks a lifter from Jimmy, who sends down an uneventful maiden over. "Hi Mark, is that you we are hearing in the background of the commentary, typing away?"
Stuart in the TMS inbox
[Not unless the effects microphone at the Queen's Park Oval is powerful enough to reach BBC TV Centre in Shepherd's Bush - MM] 1533 - WI 419-4 (131 overs)
Nash finally reaches his first Test century by helping a loose delivery from Monty down the leg side for two to reach 101. "I always used to get 101, in case the scorers had got a run wrong", comments Geoff Boycott. Nash moves on with another two and a single. "Is it just me that thinks that this entire series has been a waste of time? It has had all the urgency and excitement of a pre-season friendly!"
MT, bored at work, via text on 81111 1529 - WI 414-4 (130 overs)
Anderson keeps it tight against Chanderpaul, but four byes down the leg side (Prior gets half a glove to it) bring byes up to 34 (three short of the Test & England record) and Extras to 72 (already the England record, four short of the Test record). 1526 - WI 410-4 (129 overs)
Strauss rotates his bowlers once more as Amjad takes a rest and the Montster is back. A Chanderpaul single brings Nervy Nash back on strike to defend the last ball. "Afternoon Mark - a small point but an important one. Farnborough Hospital is in fact in the LONDON borough of Bromley rather than Kent.. so I am sorry to break the news that neither you nor Andy in Tooting [see 1426] are Kentish Men"
Dan in Farnborough, London, in the TMS inbox
[I'll have you know it says 'Kent' on my birth certificate, so there. My dad gets equally indignant about such things as his birth certificate says 'born Bournemouth, Hampshire' - he and many others still resent the boundary change to Dorset in 1974 - MM] 1521 - WI 409-4 (128 overs)
Nash now needs just one... and with the nerves of a man on 99 (that seem to affect everyone from Sachin Tendulkar downwards), he plays and misses at Anderson! He's then rapped on the pad but it's another pointless half-hearted shout for a ball pitching well outside leg. "Give him a second slip for crying out loud", bemoans Boycs on TMS. Nash survives a nervy maiden over. "After people referring to the number three spot being vacant in the England team, why don't they give Jonathan Trott the go-ahead? He has been in great form for the Lions and was great for Warwickshire last year"
Stephen Archer, Minehead Cricket Club, in the TMS inbox 1517 - WI 409-4 (127 overs)
Nash is just two short of his hundred - he turns the Danish Man of Kent down to fine leg for a single. And it's Amjad's 12th no-ball, too. A full toss on leg stump is despatched through square leg for four by Chanderpaul, and it doesn't appear to be Amjad's day. Or England's. "When Nash gets his well-deserved maiden ton no doubt he will wave to the Windies balcony, when Johnny Extras gets to 100 which balcony will Prior wave to?"
Nigel (an annoyed club cricket wicketkeeper) in the TMS inbox 1512 - WI 403-4 (126 overs)
Swann's off as Anderson gets his first bowl of the morning, from the Brian Lara Pavilion End. I have to say, I was very impressed with the naming of the stands (and the ends) when I was at the Kensington Oval in Barbados last week - all named after legendary ex-players rather than sponsors. And you could form quite a team of Bajan legends from those stands - Greenidge & Haynes to open, the three Ws and Sobers in the middle order, with Marshall, Garner, Hall & Griffith to do the bowling! Meanwhile, Chanderpaul edges for four past the slips to bring up 400 for the Windies.
Watch West Indies legends from the BBC video archive "RE: 1410 image. Is that a picture of CMJ or Bruce Willis hanging out of a helicopter?"
Will, Cardiff, in the TMS inbox
[That picture has also seen CMJ likened to a F1 pit boss - MM] 1503 - WI 399-4 (125 overs)
A leg bye and a Chanderpaul single bring Nash back on strike, on 98 - Amjad appeals for lbw as he gets one to reverse, but it pitched outside leg stump - good decision, Mr Harper. A disappointing first hour for England - time for a drinks break. "Paul O'Neill [1407] - yes, Fred Trueman would have bemoaned the flat wicket… he was fortunate to bowl in the age of uncovered wickets against batsmen with none of the protective equipment available now - he was a Yorkshireman and he would complain about anything and everything!"
Phil in the TMS inbox 1459 - WI 397-4 (124 overs)
Swann is still trying to tease Chanderpaul into temptation - it's a maiden, but that's 30 wicketless overs for Dr Comfort, with a severe lack of Lurid Revelations so far.
INTERNET LINK: Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations (Graeme Swann's band) on Facebook "If this pitch really is the pancake that people keep telling us it is, wouldn't Stuart Broad be better of having a word with his own team members for failing to score runs at a quick enough rate to put genuine pressure on the WI? Just a thought. We all know how the Aussies would've gone about it"
Anonymous, via text on 81111 1456 - WI 397-4 (123 overs)
This partnership is now worth 185. And the runs keep flowing from Nash as he bashes the Danish Man of Kent through the covers for his 16th boundary. Aggers on TMS reveals that Chris Gayle's hamstring has a "low grade one tear" with no major muscle damage and a 7 to 14-day recovery period. He'll bat in this match if he has to. Another beautiful off-drive by Nash takes him to 98, and Khan is all hands-on-hips. "Given the way he has kept wicket in this match, I would rather have Tiny Tim, Maddy Prior or even Leapy Lee than Matt Prior behind the timbers. His technique is woeful in terms of head position, hands and body movement - mind you, the way the ball was sprayed around, even a proper wicketkeeper would have let a few of the byes through. England need a very fine third man or long-stop to prevent all the runs behind the wicket. Amjad's 11 no-balls in 15 overs tells me that he has never been properly coached"
Frustrated Joewithshoes in the TMS inbox 1451 - WI 388-4 (122 overs)
The game slowly seems to be slipping away from England with every over, as Nash negotiates another maiden from Swann. "Mark - re your journey in - if only all roads in this country were as safe as the 22 yards at Trinidad, and Barbados for that matter! I am forever hopeful that we can win this game, but my optimism is being tested! And for those of you who recall earlier posts from me - the Comic Relief outfit for our office has been decided, and it is, as first proposed by my (male) boss - St Trinians!"
Gina in Gloucestershire, in the TMS inbox
Official BBC Comic Relief Red Nose Day website 1449 - WI 388-4 (121 overs)
A good take by Prior down the leg side from Khan - the Sussex stumper has taken a bit of criticism in this game after conceding 30 byes so far - the Test record is 37... Chanderpaul nudges a single, Nash digs one through point and they manage to run three (although they're hobbling a bit by the end). "Having seen Khan bowl on a slow track in these conditions, when you get the ball to do what he does, I think he would swing it well in English conditions"
West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards (who was staying at the same hotel as me in Barbados last week) on TMS 1444 - WI 384-4 (120 overs)
Nash, on 87 - will it be unlucky for this particular Australian-raised Jamaican? He plays out a maiden from Swanny. "For all the criticism of Gayle's negative tactics, could he just possibly have the last laugh by pulling off a win here? With Hinds, Gayle (with runner) and the in-form Ramdin still to come, Windies only need to chip along at three an over to have a lead of say 120 half an hour before lunch on the last day. With no prospect of a series-levelling win then to play for, it is easy to imagine England capitulating on a wearing pitch"
Andrew in Sheffield in the TMS inbox 1441 - WI 384-4 (119 overs)
A double change as Broad is replaced by Amjad Khan, who got a bit over-excited yesterday and sent down the odd really, really wild delivery that would not have looked out of place on that children's TV classic "The Really Wild Show". Chanderpaul is happy to ignore anything he doesn't have to play at, and there's the hint of a bit of swing from the Danish Man of Kent as he completes his first maiden over in Test cricket. "Reading yesterday about how England need someone to exert pressure on the Windies batsmen, remind me again why Harmison kept getting picked but Hoggard has been excommunicated?"
Gerard in Castleford, via text on 81111 1436 - WI 384-4 (118 overs)
Change of bowling as Graeme Swann replaces fellow spinner Panesar, and Chanderpaul is happy to rotate the strike with his favoured method of a single to fine leg. Meanwhile, CMJ brings listeners up to date with the Women's World Cup - England fast bowler Jenny Gunn has been reported for a suspect bowling action, while Pakistan have pulled off a shock win over Sri Lanka.
REPORT: Gunn reported for illegal actionREPORT: Pakistan women surprise Sri Lanka "Good day Mark. Nothing pleases my heart more than a whining English bowler. Poor old England - desperate for a win (read draw) - and it shows - they have become a fairly ugly side as this Test series has progressed. Pietersen is the only man who keeps his sense of humour"
Bill O'Brien - long-suffering Windies fan for 30 years - in the TMS inbox 1431 - WI 383-4 (117 overs)
CMJ MBE reports that he's staying at the same hotel as the umpires, and saw Daryl Harper having dinner although Russell Tiffin had an early night. A half-hearted lbw shout from Broad as Nash rocks back and is struck on the thigh pad and it runs away for four leg byes. The aforemention Harper then calls Broad for a wide - seemingly more for height than width - extras up to 66, and that's a record number of extras conceded by England. Nash moves to 87 with another four, and to add insult to injury, Harper has a word with Broad about short-pitched bowling! "Shocking - two days left to win a Test match, with two apparently equal teams - yet no interest in it because the play is so poor to watch... got to sort these pitches! This just in - Gayle has shares in 'Mattress King' and is using his contacts to prepare the pitch..."
Joe in Worcester in the TMS inbox 1426 - WI 374-4 (116 overs)
The Windies pair plunder Monty for more singles - walking between the wickets when they can. Chanderpaul cuts loose with a two past point, which is retrieved by sub fielder Ian Bell who's on the field already. A delicate, deft nudge brings two more for "The Crab", who now has 64 - Nash has 83. "Afternoon Mark, as a Kentish Man myself, born in Farnborough Hospital [that makes two of us - MM], I'm glad to see Amjad in the side, but still feel that Rob Key deserves another spell in the side, as I feel he is the answer to the number three batting slot that appears to stump England time after time. And that a line up of Strauss, Cook, Key and the KP is not a bad top four!"
Andy in Tooting in the TMS inbox 1422 - WI 368-4 (115 overs)
A member of the Trinidad groundstaff comes out with the latest high-tech equipment - a large plank of wood and a hammer - to hammer down Broad's footholes before he begins his new over. Chanderpaul nudges a single to Monty at fine leg - I think we'll see him play that shot a few times today. CMJ takes the commentator's chair, but Dan's dream [see 1410] hasn't come true yet. The Windies pair exchange singles, and already look set for a long session of defiance. "Cricket from the Windies, followed by racing from Cheltenham. A week of pure bliss"
Keith, Northampton, in the TMS inbox
REPORT: Cheltenham set for Festival start 1417 - WI 365-4 (114 overs)
After a single from Chanderpaul, Nash continues his aggressive approach against Monty with a brutal cover-driven four, and a round-the-corner two of his legs. 1414 - WI 358-4 (113 overs)
Broad switches to bowling round the wicket to Nash, who shoulders arms at a lifter while Aggers and Vic on TMS reminisce about "wily old pros" like Norman Gifford. Nash, who must fancy his chances of a maiden Test century on this track, square-cuts for four and Broad has what Vic describes as an "Angus Fraser moment" by kicking the turf in frustration. "You do get the feeling that the best way to get Chanderpaul out is by running him out considering his condition"
Rob, wishing he was in Trinidad, via text on 81111
[That's the only way Hampshire could get him out in the FP Trophy final against Durham in 2007 - Collingwood ran him out! MM] 1410 - WI 354-4 (112 overs)
After Broad's footholes are investigated by the umpire, the ever-excitable Monty resumes his duel with the crab-like Chanderpaul, who cuts and misses. A rapid maiden for the Northants twirler. "Hi Mark, I had a dream last night that CMJ was suspended by the BBC for using a swear-word live on air. Should I be at all concerned?"
Dan in the TMS inbox 1407 - WI 354-4 (111 overs)
Stuart Broad takes the second over of the day - he bowled tightly yesterday without much reward, and sends down a maiden to Nash. "Greetings from the Emerald Isle. Am a keen cricketing fan for over 30 years but don't understand what all the fuss about the pitch is. Would Holding, Trueman or any of the 'Greats' blame a poor pitch for lack of wickets? Looking forward to the days play"
Paul O'Neill, Castlebar, in the TMS inbox 1402 - WI 354-4 (110 overs)
It's Monty P to take the first over of the day - he impressed many of us yesterday with some much-needed variation in his bowling (albeit with the odd quicker ball down the leg side), and some most welcome improvement in his fielding. Brendan Nash gets the hosts back under way with a dribble down to fine leg to get them to 350. His partner Shivnarine Chanderpaul, still hobbling a little after he picked up a groin strain while fielding, clubs a full toss through mid-wicket for four. "England must strike early today, let's break this partnership"
Anonymous, via text on 81111 1358: Vic Marks on TMS has heard "whispers" that no-one was summoned to the match referee's office last night after England's excessive appealing (especially by Monty Panesar and Amjad Khan) - but that does not preclude any action being taken subsequently... 1355: And a sad note has come through from Lancashire - their former right-handed batsman Ken Snellgrove, who scored 3,906 first-class runs in the 1960s and 70s, has died aged 67. Any of you ever see him play? 1352: A thousand apologies, one and all, and thanks to Pranav for filling the breach. I was held up by a motorway accident, a fuel spillage and what appeared to be a burst water main (none of which was caused by me, I hasten to add) which conspired to delay me. They did almost as good a hold-up job on me as Chanderpaul and Nash did on England yesterday evening... but can England make the breakthrough? (How's that for a seamless segue?) 1348: Brendan Nash and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the crease - like watching Chris Tavare through a mirror on valium. Hardly rock 'n' roll cricket I grant thee, but if England's seamers can enliven the sleeping demons at the Queen's Park Oval, we could be in for fireworks early doors. And look who has just walked in through the door... 1344: Alright team, the Mitchmeister has been inconvenienced by some sort of bother, so (un)luckily for you I'll be your guide until the fanfare rings all around Television Centre to greet Mark's arrival. I see myself as more of a Peter Siddle first change option, pace and bounce rather than the dibbly-dobbly offerings of Andrew McDonald. 1340: Welcome all to the penultimate day of the Test series.
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