First Test, Kingston (day two)
West Indies 160-1 v England 318 (close)
Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan struck impressive half centuries as the West Indies ended day two of the first Test on 160-1 pursuing England's 318. Gayle dominated at the crease as the England bowlers were unable to build on Andrew Flintoff's early wicket - Devon Smith (6) falling lbw after a referral. England's Matt Prior impressed with 64 as Sulieman Benn finished with 4-77. The referral system was the centre of attention with Sarwan having an lbw reversed after referring the decision. LATEST ACTION (ALL TIMES GMT)  | 606: DEBATE |
e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Tom Fordyce' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)CLOSE OF PLAY 2227: WI 160-1
Siders will have the last one, the partnership at 142 and the Windies pursuit now past the halfway mark, and it's a maiden. Absolutely the Windies' day, bustling England out for just 82 more runs and looking almost serene in chasing the tourists' tally down. Cap doffed for all the emails, 606 chat and texts - it'll be Mark Mitchener with you on the morrow. 2222: WI 160-1
Fred bustles in and fires in a full one on off-stick which Gayle jousts at before reproaching himself. Two singles, and we're heading into the last over of the day. 2217: WI 158-1
Circumspection from Sarwan as Sidebottom shuffles stump-wards. He stays watchful for the first four balls before tickling two fine off his pads. From Paul in Lancs, TMS inbox: " Right, I've had my people crunch some numbers, and it looks like this Carlisle Grandma footwear is what the recession-hit marketplace is looking for, assuming she didn't get the intellectual copyright. I propose a joint TMS text viewer approach to Dragon's Den for the investment, with Carlisle to front the pitch and Tom to model the footwear. Everyone in?" 2212: WI 156-1
Tight again from Freddie, who's been the clear pick today - 1-22 off 10 overs of feisty toil. 2208: WI 156-1
In the stands, a large man wearing a 1980s set of personal stereo headphones (large orange foam circles over the ear-pieces) snoozes gently in the late afternoon sun. Prior comes up to the timbers for Sidebottom; Sarwan leaves well alone. England have shown all the menace of a My little Pony since tea. 2204: WI 155-1
Scratch what I said earlier about the close - I reckon we will squeeze in these last few overs now after all, as the light is far better than it was this time on the first day. Flintoff returns and applies a little pressure on the brakes. 2159: WI 154-1
Is it time for some for Siders? It is - he's only got through five overs so far, which makes you wonder how fit he's feeling. He strays pad-wards to ship two singles but then brings one back into Gayle and gets a fat inside-edge just past the timbers. Well, it's better than what's gone before... 2156: WI 152-1
Two leg byes, and we're drifting slowly towards the close. A light breeze across Sabina Park, a few fluffy clouds over the Blue Mountains in the distance, and some well-soaked patrons rehydrating on Red Stripe from the comfort of the in-house hot-tubs. 2151: WI 150-1
Too short from the excited KP, and Sarwan steps away to crack a wristy cut behind square for his eighth four. 70 from 151 balls for the little fella, 67 from 102 for his skipper, and the partnership climbs to 132. 2148: WI 144-1
"Real good, Mont!" shouts Prior from behind the timbers, after a little tweaker finally finds a thickish edge and heads fine for a sprinted two. Monty does the Frustrated Tea-Pot. Nine overs on the clock, but we'll be lucky to squeeze that many in. 2146: WI 141-1
Three straightforward singles as Pietersen grunts and groans with pantomime passion. From BillyBoy, TMS inbox: "Evening Tombola. Sorry I haven't been in touch sooner but I've been out in the snow, walking round in cardboard shoes. I didn't have any cocoa butter so I used Nutella. Mixed results so far; I'll continue the research. Any chance of a couple of wickets?" I'll say no, BillyBoy, with the over-optimistic hope that I might be able to conjure up a little mockers magic. 2141: WI 138-1
Let's mix this up, says Strauss, bringing Monty back on from the other end. Sarwan dead-bats before stealing an easy stroller. Around 20 minutes left on the clock, you'd think, going by the burgeoning shadows from the grandstands. 2139: WI 137-1
Maiden from KP, with all the oohs and aahs you'd expect from the showboater par excellence. Gayle blinks slowly and looks as troubled as a man lying on a sun-lounger, cocktail in one hand and fan in the other. From Joss in Paris, TMS inbox: "Some uninspiring bowling, but I'd bet on two last session wickets just to keep us stringing along in the hope that England are better than we fear. Because deep down, none of us can bear the thought that England are an ordinary side with just two class players." 2136: WI 137-1
Shadows lengthen across the Sabina turf as Harmison runs in to Gayle. There's a single for each well-set batsman and then another for Gayle. Where's the net wicket going to come from? 2132: WI 134-1
Yup - KP it is for some casual off-spin. Sarwan pads away a wide one first up, drills the second through the off-side field for a sweetly-timed four and goes again on the third to pick up two more. The Windies Express clatters along. 2128: WI 127-1
Gentle singles, zero menace. Looks like Strauss is ready to call on KP. Why not? Might get Gayle's dander up, if nothing else... 2120: WI 125-1 Harmie drops short, and on this pitch that's easy to deal with - Sarwan has time to pull behind square leg for the two that takes him to his half-century. 110 balls and six fours in that, and the partnership with Gayle is turning into a potential game-changer. 2115: WI 123-1
Monty again - he goes flat and wide and is crashed away to the cover fence by an increasingly happy Sarwan. An easy single follows after a decent delivery finally finds some purchase and ramp and flies past the outside edge. Skipper Strauss stands at slip and scratches his clean-shaven chin. 2112: WI 118-1
Broad gets the old heave-ho from Strauss in favour of Harmison, but it does nothing to stem the flow. A decent attempted bouncer dies a death after fizzing past Gayle, and Prior ships byes again - four this time, taking his eyes off the prize. That's the century partnership. 2107: WI 112-1
This isn't good from Monty. After one with loop is smashed away over midwicket by Gayle for another four, Mont goes into his familiar shell and bowls flat and fast with zero menace. England need a breakthrough, and sharpish. 2100: WI 107-1
Broad's struggling to muster any fear out there. He drops short and friendly again and Sarwan cuts late between point and gully for his fifth four - lovely wristy timing. When he pitches one up, Sarwan pushes him casually through cover. Easy peas for the Windies pair as we break for beverages. giri26 on 606:"It seems except for Flintoff (as usual) the rest of the bowling is looking a little innocuous right now. The WI batsmen are currently cruising along. Someone needs to step up and lend some support to Freddie if England are to finish the day on top." Join the debate on 606 2056: WI 101-1
S 2056: WI 101-1
Super shot from Sarwan - he waits on a looper from Monty and middles it with elegant ease back down the ground for a dreamy four. Monty responds with a semi-ripper which Sarwan jabs down shy of silly mid off, and is then clipped away late for a stroller of a single. 2051: WI 95-1
Nice work Fletch. Not so nice from Broad, who goes short and wide, or from Prior, who ships a careless bye through his legs. A cut apiece for the batsmen, and the pressure has been released. 2047: WI 90-1
Monty continues. Sarwan takes a single with a drive and Gayle cuts the ball away, stopping inches short of the rope. Far too easy - and Tom Fordyce is back with us. 2044: WI 86-1
All starting to look a little bit comfortable for the Windies duo. Broad persists in bowling around the wicket to Gayle, with the ball often passing too wide of off stump to interest the big hitting opener. England are not really asking enough tough questions. Still, it is a maiden. 2040: WI 86-1 Looking at some shots of the crowd and it seems the old ingest in the morning, bake through the afternoon and dance in the evening recipe is starting to take effect. Gayle reaches his half century with a punchy shot off Monty and the locals like it. No doubt. Sarwan gets in on the act as well. 2036: WI 80-1
Strauss must be getting bored of all these maiden overs as he brings Broad back on. The young fella is too wide and Gayle promptly runs the ball down to the fence for a boundary. England lead by 238 runs. 2032: WI 76-1
More Monty. The England fielders are starting to close in as the run rate drops - three of them are near the bat on the off side as Sarwan blocks and blocks. Applause from the fielders follows. Another maiden. 2029: WI 76-1
Freddie persists in bowling round the wicket to Gayle. The maidens start to add up. Windies trail by 242 runs. Genesis Tub on 606: "I thought 318 looked a very competent score on this pitch. But then I guess you can't account for Gayle. We know Panesar is most effective against new batsmen too, so if we can squeeze Gayle or Sarwan out we should throw Panesar straight up against Chanders."
Join the debate on 606 2025: WI 76-1
Just the single off Monty's over. Not a single referral since tea. What on earth is going on? 2021: WI 75-1
Not much footwork from Sarwan as he plays and misses outside his off stump. Freddie keeps probing away. Another maiden. 2018: WI 75-1 You were saying Sir Viv... No more Mr Nice Guy as Gayle drives Monty for another big six. It brings the 50 partnership up. Two more singles follow. Monty has bowled a couple of crackers but been pretty ordinary otherwise. "Chris Gayle seems to have calmed himself down, realising he took some chances earlier."
TMS summariser Sir Vivian Richards 2014: WI 67-1
I reckon the players must have had a heavy tea because play has been sedate since the resumption. Gayle at least manages a single. From Stephen R Cook, TMS inbox: "What's all this talk of cocoa butter and vaseline? Dubbin would do the trick (for footwear I mean - not necessarily in Martin Johnson's case)." 2010: WI 66-1
Panesar continues and does Sarwan all ends up, the Windies batsman attempting a big drive but failing to make contact. Another maiden. Pressure builds, sort of. 2008: WI 66-1
Freddie is back, around the wicket to Gayle. Lets hope for a repeat of the fireworks of the opening overs of the innings. I'm not sure a maiden fills that criteria but that is what we have. Gayle very watchful. 2004: WI 66-1
I've stepped in for Tom while he recharges. No change for Panesar though as he continues after tea. Gayle takes an easy single, while Sarwan helps himself to a couple with a tidy, controlled drive. An over with no referrals. Crazy. TEA 1940: WI 63-1
Easy runs again off Broad. Gayle strolls a single, Sarwan tucks a brace off his pads - and then he's struck on the pads. Umpire Kuertzen says no, Broad wants the referral... but Strauss, with only one left for the entire innings, declines the offer. You know what? Hawk-Eye suggests that was hitting half of leg stump. Drama at the death there - tea is called moments after Strauss shakes his head. Get a beverage in and we'll go again on the hour. From Martin Johnson, TMS inbox: "I asked my wife if we have any cocoa butter and vaseline and, with a smile, she has eagerly set off to find some. I sense she may be disappointed when she realises I want it to smear over bits of cardboard." 1936: WI 60-1
Now then - this is the moment - Strauss has thrown the ball to Monty. The early signs are promising, too - nice dip, definite spin, and a final ball that beats Sarwan every which way but loose. Big applause from the close-in fielders, and Monty takes his sun-hat back from the umpire with a noticeable spring in his step. 1930: WI 60-1
Broad, all attitude but lacking genuine menace at the mo, is punched through the on-side for four by Sarwan, and when he over-compensates the other way gets cut away with relish for another. From Carlisle Burnham, TMS inbox: "RIGHT! I'm finally home and I'm going to put this convo to bed. They don't make Vaseline like they used to... it used to be thick and with the addition of coco butter, helped it to become waterproof (i.e. Paul in Lancs stops the cardboard from getting soggy). SNOW SHOES FOR DUMMIES-a step by step guide to making your own snow shoes. 1) Apply the coco butter and Vaseline formula to one side of the cardboard. 2) Attach the pins. 3) Glue the other side of the cardboard onto the soul of your shoes and let dry. 4) Simply slip your feet into your new and improved snow shoes and walk away into the sunset." 1925: WI 51-1
Great ball from Harmison, finding rapid and steepling bounce to graze the Gayle snout. Gayle stands tall to drop another lifter back down at his own feet and then pushes a wider one through square leg for an uncharacteristically rapid double. 1920: WI 47-1
And they shall forever call this Referrals Day. Good job we got those new graphics rattled off. Sarwan's brain seems to have been scrambled by that in-out-in business - he takes his bottom hand off the bat as he tries to drive Broad, and then thick-edges a half-hearted cut wide of gully for a streaky four. 1914: WI 42-1 It takes an absolute age - height is the big issue here - and they've reversed the decision! Took third umpire Daryl Harper about three minutes of staring at his television monitor, and he decided he could see enough to change Tony Hill's original verdict. That's twice Hill has been monkeyed by the replay. 1911: WI 42-1 Harmison to Sarwan - big shout for ell bee - the umpire's finger goes up, but Sarwan wants the referral... 1908: WI 42-1
Double change for England - Broad replaces Sidebottom for his first Caribbean Test joust, and Gayle welcomes him by battering him through cover for a lusty four. If you're new to this referrals business, here's a quick run-through for you: The referral system allows a batsman or the captain of the fielding side to challenge an umpire's decision. That decision will then be reviewed by the replay official who will consult the on-field official - but the on-field official has the final say. But each side is allowed only two unsuccessful challenges per innings - and players appeal by making a 'T' sign with both forearms. 1903: WI 36-1
It's time for Harmison at Sabina Park - will it be another 7-12? Well, possibly, but not if Gayle carries on like this - he steps back to an attempted bouncer and massacres an enormous six way, way over the deep midwicket boundary. What a shot! Harmie does that tugging-at-shirt thing; the England slip cordon cover their mouths with their hands. 1857: WI 29-1
Once again, Siders and Sarwan apply oil to troubled waters. Just a bye off the six, and that's drinks. Great little session, this. 1851: WI 25-1 ...and this time it's a big fat not out. Whoosh. Such drama, such an opportunity to use our new, specially-commissioned graphics. Never out, that one - England may have got a little carried away there, but haven't we all? 1849: WI 25-1 Lordy - Fred hits Sarwan on the front stick - looks like it's missing by a mile, but England have reached for the referral again... 1844: WI 21-1
Lordy. After the thrills 'n' spills, Siders and Sarwan calm everyone down with some old-fashioned leave-alone. Fred is still foaming at the mouth; Gayle eyes him up like a hungry lion. From Steve in Canada, TMS inbox: "Dave, Dave, Dave, (see 18:22). Cardboard can be split laterally. As long as she took a supply of vaseline, cocoa butter and pins with her, she could have made a second set for her return journey. She would have got home faster, too. Half the mass, same (leg) power." 1839: WICKET - Smith lbw Flintoff 6, WI 18-1
A little bit of history for us - the umpire's decision is reversed for the first time in a Test involving England, and that means Smith is on his way. He was plumb, too - didn't seem to pick the ball up at all, failed to play a shot and was trapped about three inches in front of leg stump. Fred is engulfed by his team-mates - England have the breakthrough! 1836: WI 18-0
Short again from Flintoff, and Gayle leans back casually and flips a sort of dab-hook around the corner for two. A half-stopped slash into the gully brings another - and then Smith plays no stroke, is hit in front - umpire Tony Hill says no, and England go for the referral... 1832: WI 15-0
Singles apiece to the openers as Sidebottom strains a little too hard. There's one cunning tempter that almost draws Smith in, but he withdraws his bat like a matador whipping away his red cape. 1827: WI 13-0
Fred to Smith, and the Windies opener jabs down on one arrowing into his pads for two before another pings up horribly and batters into his gloves - unwitting single behind square. Gayle then lines up a fuller one and crashes a sweet drive back down the ground for a three that on any other outfield is a don't-bother-running boundary. Spicy times. 1822: WI 8-0
Siders, his curls already plastered across his sweating brow, bends a beaut past Gayle's groping edge. Excellent menace from both ends, and the atmos has been cranked up a hundred notches. From Dave in Russia, TMS inbox: "Re Carlisle's Grandma's snow shoes, if the cocoa butter and vaseline mix only worked just long enough for her to get from A to B (see 1643) how did she get back?" 1818: WI 7-0
Now then - Gayle doesn't mess about, does he? He plants his feet to Fred's second ball and smashes it back over the bowler's head for a brutal smear of a six. Barely even followed through on that one, too. One man who does follow through is Fred, however, when he whistles a vicious bouncer past Gayle's thrown-back head - he's virtually on Gayle's toes. The last ball of the over spits horribly and smashes into Gayle's bottom hand. We're on... 1814: WI 1-0
Siders it is, and there's big wobble on the first one - curving in to Gayle and then shaping away a treat. Gayle shovels a single to get Devon Smith on strike, and Siders strays too wide to make him play. Looks like Fred from t'other end - let's see how that side-strain holds out... Jamie, Newcastle, via text: "To put this debate to sleep I have just made some replica pin shoes and gone for a stroll outside. They work a treat. Carlisle's grandma is a hero!" 1808: We're back out again, and it looks like Ryan Sidebottom to open out against Chris Gayle. ENGLAND INNINGS 1800: WICKET - Panesar lbw Benn 0, Eng 318 all out
Sorry Monts - no reason to doubt that decision at all. England are back in the hutch, Benn bags a fine 4-77 off 44 overs, and huge apologies to anyone who clocked the 1750 update and wandered off to the kitchen/canteen/vending machine. From Martin Johnson in London, TMS inbox: "Re Carlisle's Grandma's improvised snow shoe - Would the cocoa butter and Vaseline mix be applied before or after the insertion of pins and attachment of cardboard to shoe? The latter would appear somewhat hazardous (depending I suppose on the density of the pins) whilst the former would seem to be an altogether more messy approach." 1757: Eng 314-9 Benn to Panesar - massive lbw appeal - it's another referral! 1757: Eng 314-9
Siders knows the end when he smells it - with Monty beaming happily at the other end, he launches into Taylor and smashes him through cover for a fine four. 1753: WICKET - Harmison lbw Taylor 7, Eng 313-9
Let's go double-graphic - the decision goes upstairs to third umpire Daryl Harper, and after a sweaty minute the finger goes up for a second time. Harmie's gone, and replays suggest rightly so - that one looked to be marmalising leg stick. Hey ho - it's Mont o'clock... 1752: Eng 313-8
Massive ell bee appeal against Harmison - Kuertzen gives it, but the England man has gone for the referral! 1750: Eng 313-8
Benn clocks up his 13th maiden. If you ran out of time during the lunch-break and didn't get time for a pud, now might be the time. 1748: Eng 313-8
Single to Siders, blocking from Harmie. Steady as she goes. At this rate the 350 will come up some time on Tuesday week. 1746: Eng 312-8
Three men around the bat now for Harmie, who's having so much trouble trying to lay a stick on Benn that he might as well be batting with a piece of spaghetti. From Duncan, TMS inbox: "Re Carlisle's grandma; Before I conduct my own research - how far is A to B?" 1743: Eng 311-8
Welcome back, and that should have been the end of Harmison first ball of the session - he gloves Gayle straight to short leg, but Brendan Nash spills the easiest of snags. Dear oh dear. Harmie makes them pay by padding away a maiden. From Andy in Birmingham, TMS inbox: "It appears Paul from Lancs has not been paying full attention to this important subject. Obviously the pins provide the extra traction, while the Vaseline and cocoa butter protect the cardboard the pins are mounted on from the soggy effects of the snow." LUNCH 1700: Eng 311-8
And there it is. 75-3 in the session - marginally the West Indies' morning, but on this pitch anything over the 320 mark will make it interesting. Stretch your legs, busy yourself with some idle work and we'll return to the fray in 38. From Paul in Lancs, TMS inbox: " This is extraordinary news from Carlisle's grandma about the properties of vaseline. It actually makes things LESS slidy? Further medical research is needed immediately." 1657: Eng 309-8
Maiden again from Gayle. We're all ready for the sarnies. 1654: Eng 309-8
With lunch just around the bend, Harmison props forward and is beaten four times on the bounce by a bemused Benn. He then nudges a single and walks to the non-striker's with a big smile on his Geordie chops. 1652: Eng 308-8
Gayle continues, and Sidebottom - possibly in shock after the sight of Harmie's cheeks winking at him in the last over - dead-bats for the duration. Maiden. 1647: Eng 308-8
Hello - what's going on here? Harmie has dropped his trousers mid-over. Really. He unstraps his thigh-guard and staggers towards the pavilion, trousers round his knees, while 12th man Tim Ambrose sprints out with an identical one. Finally returning to the crease to face spinner Benn, he gropes feebly at three big tweakers and misses the lot. Textbook. 1643: Eng 307-8
Harmison stays watchful for a token few and then aims an enormous, distracted mow at another. He misses by a mile, but so does Stumper Ramdin, and the ball dribbles away for three byes. From Carlisle Burnham, TMS inbox: "Re Ben Morgan: Well no it didn't get that soggy because she used to treat the cardboard with a formula of Coco Butter and vaseline which would protect the cardboard to a certain extent, just long enough to get from A to B." 1641: Eng 304-8
Skipper Gayle brings himself on, sensibly sniffing some tasty tail-end scalps on the barbie. The all-new main man Siders creams a lovely drive through extra cover for a hard-run three before Harmie steals a single and the strike. 1637: Eng 300-8
Super delivery from Benn, beating Harmie all ends up outside off. Harmie barely bothers taking half a stride forward, which doesn't bode well for an all-out pace onslaught later this arvo. 1633: Eng 298-8
Siders seems emboldened by his new gig as senior man in the partnership. Fidel, who's produced nothing revolutionary so far, strays down leg and is flipped away with an extravagant flourish for a four that's fine in more ways than one. From JJ, TMS inbox: "Re cardboard soles on snow - on Monday (walking from Parsons Green to Millbank) I found my soft-spiked golf shoes to be a very good alternative, waterproof as well." 1628: Eng 294-8
Harmison, facing in Benn a man even more ganglous than he is, essays a couple of delicate dabbing sweeps behind square for easy singles. Just Monty to come. I wouldn't pop off for a tea quite yet. 1622: Eng 290-8
And is that another? Whoosh - Siders aims a suicidal swipe at Fidel's short one and sends the ball spiralling skywards, but Chanderpaul is late to get underneath it and spills a 50-50 effort running backwards at cover. Suddenly the 300-mark looks as far away as a Timbuktoo takeaway. From Ben Morgan, TMS inbox: "R.E Carlisle Burnham: After walking around for a few minutes the cardboard would get very soggy, surely your special shoes would fall apart?" 1619: WICKET Prior c&b Benn 64, Eng 288-8
Well, he had a go... Prior charges Benn and gets decent meat on it, but Benn reaches out those lanky arms and takes a super reflex catch. Prior grimaces and looks up into the sunny skies, and England are wobbling like Weebles. 1616: Eng 288-7
Fidel again. Siders punts a full one into the covers for one; Prior is almost cleaned up by a snorter that jumps like Blanka Vlasic. 1612: Eng 286-7
Hello - it's Big Benn again, clearly full of vim despite his mammoth 33-over spell on Wednesday. True to form he re-starts with a loping maiden. As per normal, Sidebottom's curls are spiralling out from under his lid like springs from a ripped mattress. 1606: Eng 286-7
Fidel Edwards to the front, and he starts with a slingy wide one which Prior tucks into maximum relish, slashing him through backward point for a racey four. Three scampered singles follow, and the partnership edges up to 30. Key times. 1559: Eng 279-7
Don the skates he does, stepping toward off and crashing a lovely on-drive between non-striker stumps and mid on for his sixth four. Another swipes yields only a single, and Siders divers out of the way of two short ones as Umpo Kuertzen calls for beverages. I'll have a Quattro, please. From Paul in Lancs, TMS inbox: " Well, Jay's had a good deal more in the way of runs than Ian Bell recently. Forget all this No.2 chat. Try him at No.3." 1553: Eng 274-7
Big flash from Prior outside off, but he middles nothing but warm Caribbean air. He digs out a fullish one on leg and watches between gloved fingers as Siders changes his mind three times about a wide one, taking a step back, half a shuffle forward and then pulling his bat out of the way so late that he edges it anyway - but down into the turf. Get your skates on, Matty P - the cavalry are possibly not to be trusted. From Carlisle Burnham, TMS inbox: "Re walking in the snow. My Grandmother was Caribbean and when she came to England in the 50's she devised an interesting way to stop slipping in the snow...she got a piece of cardboard and she would stick pins through it and glue it to the soles of her shoes, (pins facing down for obvious reasons). I have tried it and surprisingly it works." 1547: Eng 268-7
Stirred into action by the glimpse of Harmison and Monty padded up on the England balcony, Prior opens his shoulders and swings with lusty abandon at Powell. He crashes a big drive though cover and then whistles a fat edge through the vacant gully slot to move to his half-ton. Ostentatious bat-waving to all corners follows - and why not. From Jay, TMS inbox: "RE. Andy in Oxford 15.17 - Copious amounts of Guinness on top of a Chicken Bhuna and an England batting session." 1541: Eng 260-7
Prior flips a leg-side single off Powell, and then chews on his helmet grille anxiously as Siders edges along the ground to second slip. There's a shriek from the bowler as Siders flicks down the leg side, but Ramdin can't get across - and it's signalled leg-byes anyways. Nervous times for England. 1537: Eng 256-7
Broad departs, chuntering to new-man Sidebottom about Taylor's off-cutter. Sidebottom takes guard, thus warned, and gets a short spitter that he wears on his left bicep. Ouch. Those predictions of 350 - shall we just pretend we never mentioned them? 1533: WICKET Broad c Benn b Taylor 4, Eng 256-7
Another one bites the dust - Taylor angles one across Broad, gets a little additional away-zip and the edge loops gently to Big Benn at gully. It's meringue pogo-stick time... 1530: Eng 256-6
Broad gets busy with one of those long-armed push-drives of his back down the ground - looks like a certain four, but the outfield is as slow as a sprinting sloth and the ball pulls up short of the ropes. Prior then drills a dreamy drive to point where Nash makes a super stop. 1525: Eng 251-6
Decent ding-dong between Taylor and Prior now. A rapid one outside off is left alone, a fuller one is smashed through cover for four and a wannabee yorker dug out. Prior up to 41 from 74 balls - key knocks. From Annabel, TMS inbox: "Re the walking in the snow. I injured my knee skiing and in France you get crutches with a snow mode - you flick down spikes for outdoor use. The four wheel drive crutches were the most exciting part of the injury and most useful for the current British weather. 1521: Eng 247-6
Prior flashes uppishly at Powell's short one and sends the ball through exactly the same area as Fred - except this time Nash has been pushed back to the boundary, and he escapes. Strange decision from Gayle, there. Broad gets on strike and leaves well alone. Dicey times. 1517: Eng 246-6
That's nice from Taylor, bustling in and sizzling some nasty lifters past Broad's off stump. He brings the last one back in to the left-hander and there's a solid noise as the ball falls just shy of short leg. Gulp. From Andy in Oxford, TMS inbox: "re: Jay in London, 1449 - how do you know how to walk when you've unexpectedly filled your underpants? A story you want to tell us perhaps?" 1512: Eng 246-6
Well, that didn't take long, did it? Broad strides out to join Prior, the Windies danders up, and nods his tyro approval as the England stumper flashes a cut through backward point for another fine four. Splendid shot. In the stands, three pasty overweight England fans with significant gut and moobage issues make showy, Bowdenesque 'four' signals. 1508: WICKET - Flintoff c Nash b Powell 43, Eng 241-6
That gentle parping sound you can hear is my early-afternoon optimism quietly escaping. Powell gets a little lift wide outside off and Fred steers a half-hearted cut straight down point's throat. Fred looks so angry with himself it's a surprise he doesn't punch himself in the face as he trudges off. 1504: Eng 241-5
New ball, signals Umpire Koertzen. Jerome Taylor canters in to Prior, who's sporting pink ear-protectors in his dark blue England lid. There's a couple of gentle away-benders and then Prior steps meatily into another and drives with elbow high through point for the first four of the day. 1459: Eng 237-5
Wake up at the back - we start three minutes early, to make up for three nominal minutes lost yesterday. No idea who did that maths, since we lost at least 40 minutes to rain, but it's a three minutes to remember - a single to Prior followed by five dot balls as the long-limbed languid leftie Benn twirls away. 1449: Little glimpse there of the England team sitting around on the outfield having a pre-match conflab. Looks like KP has shaved off his piratanical chin-fuzz overnight, possibly more for face-temperature reasons rather than matters of style, since he's also wearing knee-high white socks. From Jay in London, TMS inbox: "Re Gina from Gloucestershire - my public service tip for walking in the snow and ice is to walk like you have unexpectedly filled your underpants, ie little steps with legs slightly apart." 1440: Either way it'll be a big day for Monty Panesar. His opposite number Sulieman Benn found significant tweakage on Wednesday, and with the pitch getting drier and drier the stage is lit beautifully for some Monty magic (he says, with the optimism that a good lunchtime soup can bring). From Gina in Gloucestershire, TMS inbox: "Tom - I have been discussing this in the office with Sarah, and we think 350 is a winning total. And, having slept on it, I have woken up in forgiving mood in respect of KP, but wish he would reconsider that ridiculous beard he has going. Not exactly an even covering. And one final public service announcement - I find stiletto shoes help you walk in the snow - flat shoes tend to slip more easily." 1430: Hello again - all good? Intriguing day ahead at a sun-cuddled Sabina Park. If England can push on from 236-5 to something around the 350 mark, they'll be in the driving-seat with their foot to the floor. If the batting collapses like a meringue pogo-stick, the West Indies will fancy their chances.
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