After the 10-ball debacle at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, rain turns parts of the outfield at the Antigua Recreation Ground into a muddy mess and delays the start of the third Test After the rain relents, groundstaff have to use sand to dry out the bowler's run-up area at one end of the hastily-prepared pitch The playing surface is unaffected and England skipper Andrew Strauss takes a final look before the toss Strauss is out of luck as opposite number Chris Gayle wins the toss and wastes no time in asking England to bat first Strauss and Alastair Cook (pictured) give England a positive start although neither looks comfortable when the ball is banged in short Daren Powell appeals for a slip catch but the ball reaches the fielder via Strauss's shoulder and the England captain survives West Indies eventually turn to spin and Strauss plays a sweep shot off Gayle as England's openers bat through safely to lunch Cook's face is a picture of determination as he tucks into a long hop during the afternoon session and collects a boundary Gayle appeals in vain for an lbw and is left to ponder the wisdom of putting England in as the two openers post a century stand Having been dropped on 47, Strauss bring up his half century with a magnificent straight six off Sulieman Benn Cook follows his captain's aggressive lead with a slog-sweep for four as he reaches 50 off 124 deliveries Devon Smith is jubilant after his superb slip catch finally parts the England openers and sends Cook on his way Cook's replacement Owais Shah shows no sign of nerves at the start of his first Test innings since May 2007 Strauss sets off for the single which carries him to his hundred, undoubtedly one of the most important of his England career Shah hits a six off Benn in the first over after tea and cruises effortlessly to a 70-ball half century, his second in Tests Fidel Edwards tries in vain to extract some life from the pitch as West Indies strive for a second breakthrough Chris Gayle, the man who put England in, cuts a lonely figure as his bowlers suffer and the total passes 250 Shah only has himself to blame when he is run out for 57 after Strauss declines his call for a risky single New batsman Kevin Pietersen looks on as Sulieman Benn tends his injured ankle before having to leave the field The pull shot which has served Strauss so well lets him down shotrly before the close and he departs for 169, but it is England's day
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Bookmark with:
What are these?