Third Test, Antigua (day one):
West Indies v England 301-3
Captain Andrew Strauss hit a superb 169 as England dominated the opening day of the hastily-arranged third Test against West Indies in Antigua. Strauss was just eight runs short of his highest Test score when he was caught and bowled by Fidel Edwards. He struck a six and 24 fours and shared century stands with Alastair Cook (52) and Owais Shah (57). After his departure, Kevin Pietersen and Jimmy Anderson saw England to the close with the total on 301-3. LATEST ACTION (ALL TIMES GMT)  | 606: DEBATE |
e-mail [email protected] (with 'For Sam Lyon' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used) 2200: A sparkling innings from Andrew Strauss lights up a very profitable day for England, then, and with four recognised batsmen in or to come - not including the excellent Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann - the tourists will fancy their chances of stamping their authority firmly all over this match on day two. You lot have all been brilliant as always, the legend that is Ben Dirs is back in the chair tomorrow - I'll see you all on Wednesday with a bunch more similes and metaphors - good and bad - for you to deride/feast upon. Jubbly. ENGLAND INNINGS "It's difficult to see how England can go about losing this one now. Any ideas?"
Anon via text on 81111
Join the debate 2155 - England 301-3 - STUMPS
And that's stumps. KP punches a single off the first ball and Jimmy Anderson procedes to fend off an accurate Fidel Edwards over, containing more than its fair share of verbals. A no-ball off the last ball of the day brings up the England 300, a wide off the subsequent ball brings up the 301, and that's a lovely little landmark for the tourists to take into day two. "Talking of the worst similes - I think that 10-month pregnant woman was the best (or worst) haha!"
Dr Mohit Singla (not a gynaecologist), Punjab, India via email 2148 - England 298-3
Jimmy Anderson thinks he's Brian Lara, by the look of things, flaying an expansive cover drive for two first ball, but he then edges just short of the keeper next ball - reality check. We will squeeze one last over in before close, though, and KP is on strike... 2140 - WICKET! Strauss c & b Edwards 169, England 295-3
Would you Adam and Eve it? With play seemingly drifting to an uneventful close, Andrew Strauss takes a swipe at a rising Fidel Edwards delivery and top-edges it high and straight back to the bowler. Heartbreak after a super knock from the England skipper. Night-watchman James Anderson comes out to the crease and he grabs the necessary single to maintain the strike.
England 296-3 "'Like an overbearing parent checking on a teenage kid doing their homework'? Have you got a bet on with someone for the worst simile used on a website?"
Mike Pennington via email
(Are you kidding? I've used far worse similies than that in my time!) 2136 - England 295-2
England most definitely ticking down the clock, now, and at this point who can blame them. A couple of singles from Daren Powell's over and if England can see out the day just two down they'll be happier than Mr Tickle in a bubble-wrap factory. 2132 - England 293-2
Finally, seven overs after it is due, Gayle takes the new ball. Fidel Edwards pounds in with huge enthusiasm with the new cherry in hand and bounces one into KP's bicep first up - moral victory to the bowler, that. Edwards and KP have a bit of a staring match throughout the over - a bit like a duck (Edwards) quacking at a passing yacht (KP), that - but just a single and a wide from the over. KP's efforts are not being helped by the shadows now looming over the batsman's crease like an overbearing parent checking on a teenage kid doing their homework - not easy conditions. NEW BALL TAKEN 2124 - England 291-2
Daren Powell returns to the Windies attack and he yields just the single from a probing over. Ho hum. "Why the bemusement at England 'shutting up shop' and playing defensive now? This is a team which got bowled out for 51 in its last full innings, of course they don't want to do anything silly now. Get 300 on the board and get to a declaration score tomorrow."
Subterranean on 606
Join the debate 2119 - England 290-2
That's more like it - moments after Sulieman Benn pulls up with what looks to be a left shin problem, Andrew Strauss opens his shoulders and kerplunks a gorgeous cover drive away for four. As far as the last few overs are concerned, that shot was more overdue than a 10-month pregnant lady. Erm, almost. 2114 - England 284-2
Andrew Strauss breaks the shackles with a thick edge through gully for four, but otherwise it is another rather damp over, despite seven runs coming off it. As far as we can tell, by the way, play will go until 2145 GMT our time, making England's decision to shut up shop - and Gayle's refusal to take the new ball - in the past hour or so all the more bemusing. 2108 - England 277-2
Brendan Nash is given a break, but it's not pace with the new ball - it's the spin of Sulieman Benn with the old. Well, I guess England are hardly plundering runs at the moment at least, maybe that's Chris Gayle's thinking. Anyway, Pietersen has a look, takes no risks, and it's another maiden. "You have to think that the West Indies got duped a bit into thinking that this pitch would have something in it and when, after 10 overs, it became clear it is just a regular ARG pitch their heads dropped and they threw in the towel."
Tony Cozier on TMS 2105 - England 277-2
England appear more than happy with their day's work and have thrown down the anchor at the minute, Andrew Strauss playing out a maiden over from Jerome Taylor. Lull-tastic. 2102 - England 277-2
Gayle, who to be honest has displayed all the get up and go of a vampire at afternoon tea today, sticks with Brendan Nash and he bowls down a maiden to Pietersen. A shot of Owais Shah in the dressing room suggest he is not a happy bunny about that run out. Someone call the interior decorator - they have work to do... 2052 - WICKET! Shah run out (Taylor) 57, England 276-2
Oh no, that's not good. A lapse in concentration from Owais Shah sees him try to take a suicidal run with a nudge to mid-off, he's sent back by Andrew Strauss, and Jerome Taylor makes no mistake with the run out on his follow through with the number three a yard short of his ground. Kevin Pietersen comes to the crease - surely Gayle has to take the new ball now? - but it's as you were and KP and Strauss see out the rest of the over.
England 277-2 2051 - England 276-1
Not a great sign for the Windies as Brendan Nash continues after the drinks break - the hosts haven't so much been off the boil today as taking up camp miles away from the kitchen hob - but Nash does at least prompt a false stroke from Strauss, the opener inside-edging just past his stumps again, the ball racing away for a four so streaky it should be bacon. "The perfect Sunday night - watching the Test match, reading the comments on here, and knocking a new bat in ready for the coming season."
Steven, Manchester via text on 81111
(No offence mate, but the perfect Sunday night? Really??) "I've joined the live text a bit late today, just catching up, its highly amusing to see everyone's faith in the team... haven't got far enough in to see if people are eating their words yet..."
Caroline, Swansea via email
(By the time you get to see your post live on the website Caroline, you'll see we are not eating our words! Happy days) 2042 - England 271-1
Jerome Taylor continues and it looks like being a maiden until Strauss flays a beauty of a cover drive away off the final ball for four. One over until the new ball, the players take drinks. One suspects Gayle may be asking for something a little stronger than Red Bull. "Is anyone else wondering why Benn appears to have picked up a shorter person's pair of trousers today? Maybe the late change in venue means their lockers got mixed up and he's got Nash's?"
Helen in Surrey via text on 81111 2038 - England 267-1
More deserved applause for Andrew Strauss, who brings up the second 150-plus Test score of his career with a simple nudge to the leg side. This really has been a cracking knock from the England skipper. As it has from Owais Shah, who latches onto one from Brendan Nash that's a touch over-pitched, timing the pants off one down the ground for four. "New ball, old ball, any old ball - the Windies are never going to bowl England out, not a chance. I'm backing the batsmen to rack up 650... Chris Gayle has rocked up, done the toss, and then switched off, thinking purely about his dinner and what nightclub he'll go to tonight."
Geoff Boycott on TMS 2033 - England 262-1
CMJ on TMS suggests England's batsmen are biding their time until the West Indies take the new ball - it's due in four overs - but I wonder if Gayle will play into their hands like that? Jerome Taylor comes on and Owais Shah sees out a comfortable maiden. 2029 - England 262-1
Andrew Strauss has seen enough of Brendan Nash it seems, lifting the middle-pacer narrowly over midwicket's head for one four and then punching a far more convincing boundary next ball on the pull. 2026 - England 254-1
Big shout, big big shout. Fiddy Ed thinks he has his man when he raps Owais Shah on the pads with a slower ball, but umpire Daryl Harper is again unimpressed. What does Hawkeye suggest? It's hitting leg stump on the full halfway up. Big let-off. Edwards looks like he's completed the walking marathon in first place only to be told he skipped a step at the 24-mile spot and has been disqualified. Walking as a sport - what's all that about? "For the first time in the day there's just the feeling that England are marking time a touch, which is perhaps a bit strange given the dominance of their current position..."
Christopher Martin-Jenkins on TMS 2020 - England 253-1
Owais Shah continues to give Brendan Nash plenty of respect and that's a maiden. Someone get the brews in will you? 2016 - England 253-1
Spot of luck for Andrew Strauss as he goes on the pull, but succeeds only in bottom-edging inches past his stumps. A single apiece in that over and England are somewhat becalmed. "Sir Viv likes what he sees of Shah, a good sign and yes, so far he is doing the job of a number three, so all talk of Bell or a Michael Vaughan comeback can be muted. Now any ideas on who can replace Colly and bring quality all rounder status?"
hyflyer on 606
Join the debate 2012 - England 251-1
Nash continues and again it's decent enough, a couple of singles from it. Perhaps England are having a look before going on the offensive... Bit of a lull at the moment in Antigua, which only makes more of a mockery Gayle's decision to keep the spinners on for so long previously. A bit like a fan of Chesney Hawkes insisting to this day that he is anything but a one-hit wonder. I'd question whether he's even that... 2008 - England 249-1
Lovely jubbly - Owais Shah, on his return to the side at the expense of Ian Bell at number three, brings up what has been an impressive half century - the second of his Test career - with a pull to the on side for a couple and the key for him now is surely to push on. Belly in the dressing room doesnt' appear to offer any applause, but then maybe the TV cameras missed it. Ahem. 2003 - England 245-1
Brendan Nash - who has bowled a grand total of 42 balls in Test cricket before today - is brought on to see if his part-time medium pace can break this partnership... well he was born and raised in Australia, and we all know what usually happens when one of those boys bowls to an Englishman. Decent enough over, that, just the one from it. 1958 - England 244-1
Fiddy Ed is trying to probe away on off-stump, but Strauss is looking at his compact best again, the left-hander twice pinching a couple with neat pushes and then bringing Shah on strike with a nudge to the on side. Shah will have to wait to bring up his second Test half-century, though, when Edwards fields well off his own bowling. 1953 - England 239-1
The time has come for England to expose Ryan Hinds for what he is - let's be honest, a substitute spinner - as Shah punches him over mid-off for four, then grabs a single, allowing Andrew Strauss to paddle a cheeky reverse sweep for another boundary next ball. That's 10 off the over and you have to assume now, surely, Gayle will give the all-rounder a rest. 1949 - England 229-1
Well well well, after a day in which the pitch has offered about as much assistance as a sulky teenager at clearing-up time, Fidel Edwards gets two consecutive balls to scuttle through inches off the ground - the second going for four byes after deceiving everyone. A sign of things to come? "The way Shah is playing is exactly what you want from your number three, especially after the start England have had. I've been impressed."
Viv Richards on TMS 1945 - England 225-1
Ryan Hinds - on who, I've deduced, Gayle has a wager on to get the next wicket - continues, but it continues to be modest fair at best and England ease a couple of singles. 1942 - England 223-1
Fidel Edwards is rushed back into the attack at Benn's expense and Gayle has packed the off side and ordered his paceman to keep it so wide Strauss has to manufacture his shots in order to score. To be honest, desperate times do call for desperate measures, they say... A maiden. "Slaughter in the sun this is, brilliant stuff."
Geoff Boycott on TMS 1936 - England 223-1
England have clearly decided attack is the way forward this evening as Strauss slaps Ryan Hinds over midwicket for four before clipping behind square for a couple more. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. 1934 - England 216-1
Sulieman Benn takes the first over after tea - and this is not so much like taking candy from a baby, as it is snatching whole bags of sweets off blindfolded babies who have their hands tied behind their back. Owais Shah signals his intent for the evening session by bludgeoning Benn for a huge six straight down the ground and then aiming in the same direction along the floor for another boundary next up. Gayle's captaincy is starting to take a bit of a kicking in the TMS commentary box... 1930: By the way - if football is your bag, Inter Milan-AC Milan is live on this very website this evening for your viewing pleasure (UK users only). If you're outside the UK, check out Cheesey's text commentary, it's very nice, just like the good lady herself...
Live text - Inter Milan v AC Milan "Further to your expressed need to become an icon of the 21st century, you may wish to note that a 'think tank' is currently seeking entries for its competition pn ideas of how to get through the 21st Century. See the below link - Would you like your loyal readership to propose you as the key thing likely to make life bearable in the coming maelstrom of economic and environmental disaster? If you win, it'll be one on the eye for those Cambridge boffins, especially as the latest entry is an idea on how to stop all war eveywhere."
Paul in Lancs via email
http://www.howtoliveinthe21stcentury.org.uk/(I'll be embarrassed if I don't beat that 'stopping war' lark. Well, maybe second behind it...) "Right, I might not know my cricket, but I gather the '1' against a massive 206 is a rather decent score? Hold on, you're jokin... cricket has tea breaks?? Now that's my kind of sport!"
pottiella on 606 "Re 1902 - Don't worry Sam, there's always the 21st century."
over_there on 606
Join the debate(Take note people, flattery will get you everywhere haha) "Good though it is to see England batting well, am I the only one slightly disappointed that the Antigua pitch isn't the minefield we secretly hoped it would be, with all the bone-cracking, wicket-tumbling fun that would have entailed?"
Amos in Herts via email 1911 - England 206-1 - TEA
Andrew Strauss happily plays out a maiden from Ryan Hinds to bring in tea and England are so on top here, it's frightening. Is this all a dream? 1908 - England 206-1
The West Indies have got to be praying for the tea break now. Andrew Strauss - high on confidence on a flatbed of a pitch - twice brutalises Sulieman Benn over midwicket and away for four as England fly past the 200-mark with the hosts looking as bereft of ideas as a man shopping for his missus late on Christmas Eve. 1905 - England 197-1
Shah is loving Ryan Hinds's buffet bowling, and after easing three runs previously in the over, he thwacks the spinner to the mid-on boundary and England are cruising. 1902 - England 190-1
Two singles from that Sulieman Benn over - the 59th of the England innings - and I cast my mind back to the start of the day when I was predicting a pitch full of bumps, cracks and demons. I've not been this wrong since I pointed out at my Cambridge University interview that one of the three things the 20th century would be remembered for would be... me. Seriously. Funnily enough, I didn't get made an offer... "The way England are going at the moment, they must be thinking they will be 600-odd by tomorrow evening, at which point they can have an hour at the Windies openers late on day two."
Geoff Boycott on TMS 1900 - 188-1
England's batsmen can only be holding back against Ryan Hinds in the hope Gayle continues to throw him the ball because the Windies spinner is throwing in at least one boundary ball an over. The one this over is pounced upon by Owais Shah - who has shown not one iota of nerves so far in his innings - and he sends Hinds back over his head for a one-bouce four. "I'm much more interested in human hibernation. It would be bliss if you could pull it off. apparently there have been examples of it: One Japanese man claimed he 'hibernated' for 23 days after becoming lost on a mountain. and some of my friends at university went into hibernation for three whole years. Remarkable."
Jonny Hogg via email 1857 - England 184-1
Sulieman Benn returns but Strauss and Shah continue to tick things over all too simply - four singles coming from that over. Geoff Boycott can barely contain his envy in the TMS inbox. 1854 - England 180-1
England players and fans alike can probably not believe it, but Ryan Hinds is still wheeling away and three singles come from another over tamer than a baby kitten. 1851 - England 177-1
Roll out the cliches - captain fantastic, a skipper's innings etc - Andrew Strauss punches Daren Powell to the mid-on boundary before clipping off his legs for two to bring up his 15th Test century. That is a genuinely impressive ton from a man under pressure after the Jamaica debacle and he celebrates with understandable abandon. "Flipper on morphine - now that's a film I wouldn't pay to see."
zamoraisthenewmessi(oh no wait a minute, he's not) on 606
Join the debate(Are you kidding me, you wouldn't?!) 1846 - England 170-1
Ryan Hinds, desperate to get through his overs so quickly that the batsmen fail to realise it is buffet bowling at its finest, yields just two runs - but this is cricket so comfortable for England it should be puffing on a pipe by a roaring fire at Christmas. "All the messages seem rather volatile today. All this sniping and hair splitting about unimportant useluss factual banter is putting me on edge. I don't think England fans like their team doing well...",br>Henry, North Texas, via email "Re Harry in Oxford - QI-style klaxons and flashing text: bears don't hibernate. Their metabolism, eg core body temperature or heart rate, doesn't drop anywhere near as much as in animals that undergo true hibernation."
Nick in Cambridge via email 1843 - England 168-1
Andrew Strauss, an lbw shout and drop from Chris Gayle aside, really has looked rather imperious today if you ask me and he underlines his superiority on this beauty of a pitch by crunching Powell to the bounday on the pull and then again next ball with a textbook cover drive. He moves to within six runs of his 15th Test cenutry. 1840 - England 160-1
It's Middlesex v the West Indies with Strauss and Shah at the crease at the moment - and Middlesex are winning. Strauss dances down the wicket to Ryan Hinds and bludgeons him over mid-on for a one-bounce four before he and Shah milk the ones and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely for the tourists. Cook may be back in the hutch, but this pitch is more benign than Flipper on morphine. 1836 - England 153-1
Gayle decides to spare my fingers for a moment with the re-introduction of Daren Powell to the bowling attack. It's equally as ineffective, though, and Shah - who looks a man intent on making the number three spot his own - leaps on a short one with a crashing pull to the boundary rope for four. He moves to 18, six off that over. "On the topic of animal pedantry (David in Sheffield), can we explode another widespread misconception? Bears hibernate. Consequently at this time of the year they don't poop in the woods, or anywhere else if it comes to that. They're asleep."
Harry, Oxford via email 1830 - England 147-1
Ryan Hinds - who has something of the Gladstone Small's about him appearance-wise no? - bowls a maiden in approximately 7.4 seconds. The over rate is about 27 an over (give or take 10) and my keyboard is starting to smoke and my brain melt. Help. 1827 - England 147-1
Gayle continues and England continue to pick off the singles, Strauss moving on to 78, with Shah 13 not out off 19 balls. "The Lion bar is far outweighed by Raisin and Biscuit Yorkies!! or on the rare occasion it has happened a King Size Kat Kat Chunky that was all chocolate, no wafer!! Possibly the greatest day of my school life!"
Martin Stewart via email "Re Facebook - it can't be over, then i really would have to do my essay instead of stalking a friend of a friend of a friend..."
Marielle, hopelessly procrastinating instead of learning about EU law, via text on 81111 "I'm sick of this ridiculous "not converting 50s into 100s" debate. If Cook can get 50 on a regular basis then why complain? He'd have one of the best averages in cricket."
jazza0707 on 606
Join the debate 1824 - England 144-1
Ooh, now that's a let-off - Ryan Hinds finds the egde of Strauss's bat but somehow it squeezes between a motionless keeper and first slip and away for four. Seven off the over. 1822 - England 137-1
Owais Shah - visibily licking his lips at this pitch - takes a step back and crunches Gayle backward of square for the second boundary of his innings and that stroke also brings up his 13,000 run in first-class cricket. Jubbly. 1819 - England 132-1
This is not helpful from Gayle. To me anyway. He and Hinds are ripping through their overs faster than a hungry kid tearing the wrapper off a Lion bar (mmm... Lion bars... the king of chocolate bars if I'm not mistaken). Anyway, Shah punches a couple through square off Hinds and that's three from the over. "Re: 1808. Can I be the first pedant to point out that koalas aren't bears? They're marsupials. And boring ones at that. Their closest cousins, wombats, are ace however, and could cause quite a stir in a swimming pool."
David, Sheffield via email 1817 - England 129-1
That's the halfway mark in the day - 45 overs down - and a single off that Gayle over see England tick along. I'm sure the tourists would have taken this position at the start of the day, but how Cooky must be kicking himself... 1814 - England 128-1
Beautiful, beautiful day out in Antigua now - certainly no sign of the forecast rain just yet, thankfully. Owais Shah would do well to get his eye in here, because there are runs to be had I'd wager. He is watchful to Ryan Hinds and it's just a single from that over. "Re: Cook - If that was Bell you would all be saying now "He's failed to go on" (yawn)"
Paul G via email
(Well, yes, of course we would Paul) 1808 - WICKET! Cook c D Smith b Gayle 52, England 123-1
Oh dear, how lamentably predictable. Alastair Cook tries to cut one from Gayle that is pushed through a little quicker and he succeeds only in edging it towards Devon Smith at slip, who takes a sharp low catch to make the breakthrough. Who was it who suggested Cook would get to 50 and then get out? Oh right, erm, everyone. Owais Shah comes out to the crease and gets off the mark with a cracking cut square of the wicket for four - nice.
England 127-1 1808 - England 122-0
Hinds continues, three singles yielded, and he looks to possess all the threat of a baby Koala bear in a swimming pool. 1806 - England 119-0
Maiden from Gayle, Cook happy enough to close up shop as he gathers himself for a real assault on what would be his first hundred in 14 months. 1804 - England 119-0
Gayle turns to Ryan Hinds in a bid to snaffle a wicket - prompting notes of derision from my colleague opposite. Safe to say, he is not the biggest fan of Ryan Hinds's left-arm 'spin'. Indeed, there is nothing in that over to suggest he will 'magic' a wicket out of this placid pitch. Meanwhile, Cook brings up his 17th Test half-century with a prod to midwicket - let's hope that doesn't prompt his inevitable so-near, yet so-far demise. "Re Facebook, I do hope so. I've resisted signing up and I'm looking forward to patronisingly telling everyone that I knew they'd get bored of their little toy."
Richard Garman via email 1757 - England 116-0
Chris Gayle returns - I don't envy the Windies skipper trying to make something happen out of nothing here, I tell you - and Strauss greets his slow right arm by taking a step and smudging him over the covers and away for four. That'll be drinks, prompting Kevin Pietersen to take a few steps out of the dressing room to clap enthusiastically towards Straussy and Cooky. Nice touch. That or he's already bored of listening to Graeme Swann's David Lloyd impression - heaven forbid. 1754 - England 111-0
Excellent discipline from Jerome Taylor on off stump, and it's just the single off the over. So, Facebook, has its time come to an end yet or what? "I think KP and Freddie would be giggling away watching Porky's or American Pie instead of a western or rom-com. Porky's is brilliant though!"
Mark Baker, Warrington, via text on 81111 1750 - England 110-0
Benn continues to wheel away, but Cook hints at a touch of pre-determination as he goes down on one knee and swipes him away beautifully for a one-bounce four over midwicket. Still no assistance for the bowlers at all out there and, even though he's now off-air, Geoff Boycott licking his lips is perfectly audible on Five Live sports extra. He'd have liked this wicket. 1746 - England 105-0
Probing line on off-stump from Jerome Taylor, but Strauss refuses to play at any of them and it's just a single from the over. 1743 - England 104-0
Moments after a bit of a hoik to midwicket brings Cook an ugly one, Strauss shows him how to do it properly, taking a step and kerplunking Benn back over his head and into the stands. Real positivity from this pair so far, today - fair play, they really want to win this Test match after all. That Strauss maximum brings up the century opening stand and Chris Gayle strokes thoughtfully on his beard. For the record, as much as I love Chris Gayle, as someone who can grow a full-on beard in approximately 43 minutes, I think that's a rubbish beard. That is all. "I can imagine KP watching a John Wayne classic, but I expect Colly would go for more of a Rocky-type film, particularly the last one - underdog scraps away like his life depends on it, and then eventually loses, but is still lauded a hero. I can see Freddie going for a naff, Hugh Grant rom-com for some reason..."
Josh, Lancs via email 1738 - England 97-0
One or two false shots creeping into England's game at the moment - a touch of over-confidence perhaps - but still very little threat from the Windies bowlers to take advantage. Jerome Taylor probes away at Strauss's off stump, but there's no need for him to play at it out there. We're in that period of the day now whereby a stroll round the ground to the bar and the eateries would be in order. If I was there. Which I'm not of course. Shame. 1732 - England 96-0
Sulieman Benn continues and he goes up for another appeal late in the over when he raps Alastair Cook on the front pad, but the left-hander has a huge stride in and you have to suspect it was going down leg. Umpire Daryl Harper is unmoved - hawkeye suggests it was literally just clipping the top of leg stump, but a good decision for me. 1730 - England 95-0
Accurate stuff from Jerome Taylor, but still all too comfortable for Alastair Cook. A maiden. "This is one of those pitches where the batting side sends numbers four and five to the cinema. Put your feet up and watch a John Wayne movie boys..."
Geoff Boycott on TMS "And of course they'd see more shots in a John Wayne movie than they would when you're batting too Geoff..."
Jonathan Agnew in reply on TMS 1725 - England 95-0
Another couple of singles to the England openers before Benn goes up for an appeal like a Maori rounding off a particularly passionate haka after striking Strauss's pads last up, but the left-hander got a lot of bat on that and it's as you were out in the ARG. 1722 - England 93-0
Having been dropped the over before, Strauss now faces one from the returning Jerome Taylor that spits up at him and into his gloves - not comfortable, that, for Mr Brave Face. Still, he gets a thick edge on one a few balls later than flies through gully for two and that brings up his 15th Test half-century. 1717 - England 90-0
Dropped! Strauss, on 47 not out, tries to cut one from Benn that isn't short or wide enough and slices it sharply towards Gayle at slip, the Windies skipper getting a big hand on it before spilling it onto the ARG grass. Cue agony etched on Benn's face and wry a shrug of the shoulders from Gayle. They could really have done with that, the hosts. 1714 - England 89-0
The sun is out and shining on an impressive opening stand from England, Cook pinching a couple through midwicket in another tame over from Edwards. "England fancy this, they really do. Strauss et al will hope to pile on the runs in the first two days and then hope the likes of Flintoff and Harmison can extract something from this pitch that the Windies bowlers are simply failing to."
Christopher Martin-Jenkins on TMS 1710 - England 87-0
More delightful batting from Andrew Strauss, the opener going down on one knee and slog-sweeping Benn over midwicket for a couple-of-bounces four and he and Cook ease eight runs from that over. Steely-eyed belief and determination in this pair's eyes now. "Coolest team in sport? Looney Tunes Basketball Team. Led by the unblievably cool Michael Jordan..."
AshesComeBack on 606
Join the debate 1707 - England 79-0
Oh yes, Cooky approaches his dresser, opens up the top drawer, and pulls out a beauty of a cover drive for four that has Fiddy Ed et al scratching their heads. The thousands of England fans in the ARG are warming up nicely, now... unlike the Windies bowlers. "Groan... don't say Cook is beginning to recover his form, you'll put the mockers on him, England will collapse and we'll be all out for 99."
David Broom via email 1703 - England 74-0
Strauss looks a little like a man who has stumbled into a primary school assembly expecting a barracking from the year 11 bully, only to find a bunch of the most angelic, polite schoolkids ever assembled under one roof. Or something like that. The Middlesex man is starting to use his feet, now, and although he only snatches one from Benn's over, he is looking increasingly comfortable. 1659 - England 73-0
Fiddy Ed continues and he soon has his head in his hands as a short one is mis-timed by Cook narrowly short and wide of Chanderpaul at square leg. It rolls away for a four, though, and the Essex opener - dare I say it - is starting to recover some touch out there, I believe. 1656 - England 69-0
A change of ends for Sulieman Benn, then, as he looks to pitch the ball in the early bowlers' footmarks at the batsman's crease. Still nothing untoward, though, and Gayle is starting to wonder if it wouldn't have been better for him to have lost the toss. More from Ian Bell's revealing Mail on Sunday interview - he tints his hair blonde to match his eyebrows. 1652 - England 67-0
It takes just three overs of spin before Gayle turns back to his pacemen - and it'll be Fidel Edwards first up. His first ball is a well aimed short one and Cook does well to ride it, and it prompts an over of short-of-a-length stuff from the slingy seamer. Edwards - who I shall be calling Fiddy Ed in tribute to Fifty Cent on occasion from now on - is warned for running on the wicket later in the over, but certainly a more probing effort from him. 1646 - England 66-0
Blink-and-you-miss-it over from Gayle and there's just a single from it. Strauss on 37, Cook 27. 1644 - England 65-0
The Windies will continue with the twin-spin attack, it seems, with Sulieman Benn operating in tandem with his skipper. Still very little turn on offer, though, and a couple of singles and a couple of byes later and England move on to 65-0. Over-rate will not be an issue with these two bowling, by the way, that's for sure. A text commentator's nightmare. 1641 - England 61-0
Chris Gayle takes the first over after lunch and three singles later, it's as you were from before lunch for England. 1638: Cook and Strauss stride to the middle, the West Indies team lopes. They are just the coolest set of players in sport, don't you think? Even compared to Kevin Pietersen who, according to Ian Bell, owns a hoodie made from lion skin. Seriously. Anyway, we're moments away from the restart now... 1635: As I suspected, the offerings from the BBC canteen were just barely edible. If this text commentary goes quiet on occasion this afternoon, you know where I'll be. Oh to be out in Antigua munching on some jerk chicken and what not... Or indeed some pink-in-the-middle, fat-on Moores chops, the new TMS delicacy (cheers Carol...) "Re grilling Peter Moores: How many emails/texts etc do you think you'll receive on 'grilling'? Lighter fluid at the ready. Charcoal just right? Do you have all the barbecue implements, forks, and the like? Who'd like Moores rare, medium or well-done? Anyone for hot and spicy barbecue sauce? Oh, the possibilities..."
Carol, Portugal, via email 1602: Right, as I dash off to grab some below average fodder from the BBC canteen, I'll leave you to talk amongst yourselves - emailed suggestions for afternoon chat topics welcome. In the mean time, check out Five Live sports extra on which Aggers and Co will be grilling former England coach Peter Moores. I'm tipping him to open up in a massive way and launch a brutal broadside against Kevin Pietersen and the ECB... ahem, honest. 1559 - England 58-0 - LUNCH
Sulieman Benn - in the hope of squeezing another over after his in before lunch - rips through his six deliveries, but Cook punches a couple through the covers off the final delivery to ensure the clock ticks over and England reach lunch with all 10 wickets in tact. That's a very good effort, that, from the tourists, especially given the circumstances. 1558 - England 56-0
Ooh, that's a let off. Gayle, who two deliveries previously gets one to grip a bit and take the thick edge of Strauss's bat, gets one to go on with the arm and raps the England skipper in front of the stumps. Hawkeye suggest it was hitting the leg stump - just - but umpire Daryl Harper is unmoved. Gayle, believe it or not, almost broke into a trot during that appeal - remarkable scenes. 1555 - England 54-0
Just call me Mystic Meg - Benn does indeed come on to bowl, and it's decent enough fodder given that the pitch is offering about as much turn as the hard shoulder of the M25. A maiden. 1553 - England 54-0
Gayle, so loathe to run his dash to the crease is a yard long, throws down a decent enough over - but it threatens so little, Cook and Strauss are able to fend it away practically without drawing breath. It could be time for Sulieman Benn I reckon. 1549 - England 53-0
Well that's the 51 all out in Jamaica put to bed - for now - as Strauss picks Powell off again, punching a delightful shot down the ground, through the ARG football penalty area and goal, and away for a four. "Kudos to groundsman Keith Fredericks on getting this pitch ready... Though I'm not sure I'll be keen on watching England making 600-5 declared."
shivfan on 606
Join the debate 1545 - England 47-0
Gayle continues - and continues to pitch it way too short, Alastair Cook not having to be asked twice to latch onto a long hop and crunching one away square for yet another boundary. "The remarkable thing is how well this pitch is playing at the moment - though I'd like to see how a couple of taller bowlers would be doing on it, a bit more bang-in quality needed I think..."
Jonathan Agnew on TMS 1543 - England 42-0
Only a cracking bit of work at cover from Brendan Nash prevents an Alastair Cook square-cut rocketing its way to the boundary, but otherwise it's another accurate over from Daren Powell. Accurate in a non-threatening way, obviously. A bit like hitting bullseye everytime, but with feathers. 1539 - England 40-0
Chris "Cooler than Ice" Gayle brings himself on to bowl - which should tell you all you need to know about what demons there are in this pitch for the seamers - but it's a pretty rubbish over, the spinner twice somehow avoiding a battering off a long hop, before Strauss brutalises one square of the wicket away for four. "RE 1442: I should imagine KPs ideal Valentine involved a candlelit meal and a mirror..."
Greg in London via text on 81111 1535 - England 36-0
A maiden from Daren Powell and, with 10 gone, England will be happy enough with this start. 1532 - England 36-0
Ooh that's nice - Strauss offers a forward push to Taylor, finds the middle, and it races down the ground and over the boundary rope. And it's nice again next ball as Strauss punts a full toss away for another four through midwicket. Not so nice are the dark clouds that are starting to gather over the ARG... "For wedding songs, how about Road To Hell by Chris Rea? That'd be a nice start. Then perhaps follow it up with Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad by Moby, U.G.L.Y by Daphne and Celeste and It Wasn't Me by Shaggy. I'm sure they'll all segue brilliantly, and really suit your singing voice."
David Whitley via email 1526 - England 27-0
Just as I was about to describe this pitch as flatter than a Jim Davidson Convent tour, Daren Powel bangs one in short and it slams into Strauss's shoulder and away to the slip cordon. The hosts appeal but it is a forlorn one, with the ball clearly missing glove and bat. A maiden. 1522 - England 27-0
Jerome Taylor continues but it's easy enough for Cook, who pinches a couple through midwicket. More accurate, at least, from the Windies paceman, though. "Roses are red
Violets are blue
Begging for Valentines messages
Gives a sad impression of you."
Fergie, Edinburgh via email 1518 - England 25-0
Bosh. Daren Powell comes on to replace Fidel Edwards but his first ball is short and wide and Strauss batters it beautifully square of the wicket for a race-to-the-boundary four. A couple of singles finish the over and, dare I say it, this is a decent ol' start for England. 1513 - England 19-0
Take That and Party as Cook eyes up a tame Taylor half-tracker and kerplunks it away for four on the pull and it's another relatively comfortable over for the England batsmen. Talking of Take That, I've been asked to sing a bit of TT at my brother's wedding in a couple of months time. I'm thinking of throwing in a few 'alternates' though - Richard Digance's D-I-V-O-R-C-E for example. Any other suggestions? "Do my eyes deceive me? Has Strauss played a scoring shot in front of square? I've seen it all now."
William via text on 81111 1509 - England 15-0
I have to say, Alastair Cook looks to be so out of touch he ought to be wearing flares, a gold medallion and tweed jacket complete with leather elbow patches out there. Fidel Edwards almost cuts him in two with one short of a length, but the Windies paceman can't keep away from the left-hander's pads and twice Cook takes the opportunity to clip a few runs. Huge mix up off the final delivery, with Strauss sent back rightly by Cook after clipping to midwicket, and Daren Powell would have run him out by miles had his throw hit - a let off. 1504 - England 12-0
First signs of something a touch spicy in the pitch as Jerome Taylor gets one to rip past Alastair Cook's gloves off a length - but in truth it was poorly played by the England opener and he's lucky not to have edged it behind. A single off the over. "This looks a good pitch. If you're in the dressing room, feeling a little apprehensive about the pitch, you'll have watched the first few deliveries and thought "I fancy batting on that"."
Geoff Boycott on TMS 1500 - England 11-0
Fidel Edwards will share the new ball with Taylor, and he aims one in at Strauss's pads that the left-hander pounces on, timing the pants off it to send it to the midwicket boundary. Rolex timing again from the England skipper off the last ball as he punches a cover drive to the rope and the crowd - almost exclusively in support of England - allow themselves a modicum of optimism. 1454 - England 3-0
Right... early pitch assessment... it's lively but certainly not full of the demons perhaps the England batsmen feared. That's an early assessment. Jerome Taylor's first ball zips through, but after that Strauss pinches a single and Cook clips a couple through midwicket. 1449: Right, the players are out, we're moments away from the start... "This is ridiculous - exactly where cricket shoots itself in the foot - play was due to start three or four minutes ago, and yet there's no sign of the players. What are they doing?!"
Geoff Boycott on TMS "Thing is, you accuse Nick in Bristol of not being one for the Comic Relief Committee, but can you honestly say those things wont happen? The only difference I'd have is that Cook will probably get to 50 then get out, as he always does."
Allyd in Teesside via email "At least with a late start England might manage to bat through until lunch?!"
Rich, Newcastle via email 1445: By the way, I'm reliably informed England's record scores at the ARG are - Highest: 593, Lowest: 127. I know which one I suspect England will get nearer to today... 1442: With play due to start in three minutes, the covers are still on... so we're looking at another delay I'm afraid folks. Why not take the opportunity to make up for yesterday's sorry shambles and send me a Valentine's message? That's right, I'm not too proud to beg... Talking of which, any suggestions as to how the England boys marked the most romantic day of the year yesterday? A candelit dinner for two between Freddie Flintoff and KP maybe? No... maybe not... "Match predictions: Cook to nibble at a nothing ball after scratching around for 10 minutes but still be talked about as a future England captain. Shah to fail to score, on what is a horrific wicket, and be dropped for the next test for Ian "damn good in the nets" Bell. Collingwood to take out his Slazenger Shovel and be predictibly awful, batting with all the style and grace of an elephant doing the River dance. Swann to not be trusted to bowl spin. Harmison to be repeatedly referred to as being in "last chance saloon" and not perform only to retain his place based on his exploits 5 years ago.And we will lose. But still back ourselves to perform when the Ashes come about."
Nick, Bristol currently reading up on the politics of Uganda, via email
(Blimey mate, remind me not employ you on the Comic Relief planning committee) 1435: Good news folks. The sun is back out, the rain shower has passed and, all being well, we should be under way in not too long at all. 1432: TMS is reporting another rain shower at the ARG. The covers are back on, but it doesn't look as though this sprinkling will last too long. "Sam - It's tails for Wales actually. And as we can all see from recent sporting events, that never fails!"
AdZ on 606
Join the debate West Indies: CH Gayle (capt), DS Smith, RR Sarwan, S Chanderpaul, BP Nash, RO Hinds, D Ramdin (wkt), JE Taylor, DBL Powell, SJ Benn, FH Edwards. England: AJ Strauss (capt), AN Cook, OA Shah, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, A Flintoff, MJ Prior (wkt), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, SJ Harmison, JM Anderson. Umpires: DJ Harper and RE Koertzen "Oh dear, 51 is the first target then!"
Mark, Somerset via email "Glad to see the England selectors are being their usual selves. Batting problems? We don't have any batting problems, we certainly never got all out for under 52. Bowlers are rubbish though, let's chuck them all, we never allow people to have a bad game (unless they're a batsman, then they're safe for at least 2 years of bad games). In other news, Collingwood is still a walking wicket."
Chloe, St Helens via email "RE: Chris Gayle's Beard. The guy is by far the coolest bloke in cricket, and could walk around with a rainbow wig on and make it work."
Kevin Smith via email 1421: So, no surprise there then, Chris Gayle calling tails (it never fails) and opting to field first. The Windies are unchanged from the team they named at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium - Ryan Hinds in for Xavier Marshall, the change from the first Test. Andrew "Brave Face" Strauss looks like he has turned up for a free all-you-can-eat buffet and discovered the only thing on the menu is brussel sprouts. 1419: WEST INDIES WIN THE TOSS AND CHOOSE TO FIELD 1415: Right, the toss should be happening out in Antigua right about now - when I know what's going on, you will - but in the meantime a lot of love coming into TMS for Graeme "Superhero" Swann, less so for Steve "No longer so grievous" Harmison. Interesting. "My dad had a chat with Andy Flower at the ground yesterday and he said the pitch will be fine. And if Flower said it, it must be true..."
Matt, London via email 1409: TEAM NEWS SNAP
England have dropped Ryan Sidebottom and Monty Panesar, in come Steve Harmison and Graeme Swann. I have to say, I think Swanny's inclusion is long overdue - Monty's underperformed for far too long - but will England miss Sidebottom's control? Get involved people and I'll make you web-famous for 15 minutes... 1407: Right - we will have the toss and team announcement at 1415 GMT and start of play will be 1445 GMT. Meanwhile, an interview with Ian Bell in the Mail on Sunday reveals the Shermanator's "style guru" is Jude Law's character in Alfie. Now that's ambition. A little like Kevin Pietersen's missus Jessica declaring she styles her singing on Whitney Houston in her prime. 1403: The Antigua Recreation Ground is a hub of activity, now, with match officials inspecting the pitch, the England team enjoying a kickabout (that should help the outfield), TV crews and journalists doing their bit to keep their finger on the pulse, and a fantastic crowd enjoying some drink, dancing and devilment. A decision should be forthcoming soon... we hope... in the meantime, why not drop me a line and let me know your thoughts on anything and everything. Cricket, Valentine's Day, Chris Gayle's beard, the world's global economic crisis... anything... "Sidebottom was economical in the 1st test, but took no wickets, while Anderson may be more likely to take wickets but in all probability will go for runs. I'd rather go with wickets, but its a fine balance."
yorksfan on 606
Join the debate 1355: Keith Frederick, head groundsman at the ARG, says he "guarantees" that whoever wins the toss, will field first. I tell you, you can't buy insight like that. A statement more obvious has not been made since the fat-cat bankers of Britain held their hands up and said, "You know what, I think we've made a bit of a mess of all this..." That said, I'm thousands of miles away stuck in BBC TV Centre, what do I know? "I spoke to Stuart Broad this morning - England practiced on this ahead of the Test at the Sir Viv Stadium last week - and he said throughout their net sessions they had to abandon the new ball because it was just too spicy, doing too much... hhmm..."
Jonathan Agnew on TMS "Hi Sam, I'm inside the ground now and to be honest it does not look much better than the Sir Viv ground pitch. I feel sorry for whatever team loses the toss and has to bat first..."
Ryan, England fan out in Antigua, via email 1344: Now then, just so you know the referral system has been abandoned for this match, given the short preparation time on the pitch - which will be of huge relief to umpire Tony Hills, who in the first Test had more decisions questioned than the last four England football managers combined, bless 'im. Big black clouds threaten ominously overhead at the Antigua Recreation Ground, but it is dry for the minute. A lot of 'drying agent' being applied to the bowlers' run-up as the ground staff desperately try to get this Test started, but until we get play started, it's anyone's guess how this will hold up...
Test in Antigua given green light 1335: And guess what? Overnight rain has left the outfield soggy and match referee Alan Hurst has declared the two teams must "play it by ear" to see how fit it is for Test cricket. Start delayed, inspection at 1400 GMT. 1333: Still, Steve Harmison at least will welcome the venue change - he's likely to be brought back into the side at the expense of James Anderson with the pitch offering pace and bounce. One can only hope Owais Shah is deemed to have done enough at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to keep hold of his place... what are the chances England's hierarchy will claim Ian Bell's performance as teaboy in the dressing room warrants a recall? Lest we forget, England are 1-0 down in the series after the embarrassing first-Test defeat in Jamaica. The only spanner in the works in their bid to draw level could be the forecast of some rain in Antigua over the next few days. Oh, and the fact that the outfield is bumpier than the foothills of the Lake District. As well as the fact that England's top six appear to be holding their bats upside down at the moment. Where's your money folks?
Join the debate "England to get back in to the series, and level at 1-1, after the ill-fated "fight them on the beaches" Test. I predict an easy win for England within 4 days."
MarcusInKensington on 606
Join the debate 1328: I am of course joshing with you good people. I didn't get any Valentine's Cards. Hurrumph. And, also, after the farce that was the second Test - henceforth known as the Battle of the Antigua Sandpit - we are now faced with the possibility of a Test match being played on a pitch so lively and underprepared that shades of Jamaica 1998 are brought to bear... maybe. Even if the pitch isn't that spicy, the presence of a massive ridge halfway down the wicket should provide the England and Windies bowlers with something to aim at. Any bets on how long before the batsmen pull the teapot and get this game abandoned too?
Strauss welcomes 'result' wicket 1325: Well ladies and gentlemen, I have wrestled my way past the pile of cards on my doorstep, I have negotiated my release after being captured by a group of fans outside my house and I have deposited the mountain of bears, flowers and chocolates I received Saturday morning at my local charity shop (for there simply isn't room enough in my house for them all) and I have made it in to talk to you all about cricket. Hold on... this isn't Valentine's Day any more is it? Are we still at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium? What do you mean this isn't the second Test any more? I have a terrible feeling I've missed something...
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