England vs West Indies, 1st Test - Lords

Royale with Cheese

So since the world cup it's become apparent to most people that we actually have a cricket team of our own, the interest in English cricket might die. However if test cricket is your thing then it's all kicking off tomorrow.

No sign of Joyce near the team, not surprising. Matt Prior at wicketkeeper. As much as I liked Nixon, it's an understandable decision if they're trying to build a team. Strauss captains in Vaughan's absence. I think he's a good captain, but his batting form hasn't been too good of late. They don't want another Vaughan on their hands, good captain but a waste of a batting slot. Flintoff fit or not? Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

West Indies play their first test in the post Lara era. Sarwan back as captain again. I suppose there's a good few who think Lara was doing more harm than good in the team, I'll guess we'll see how the Windies fare this summer.

Predictions? I'll go for England. Cook in the top order gives the team more runs than Joyce did in the one day team, and the test bowling line up isn't as ropey as the one day side's if is fit. If he can't play then I guess the England attack could struggle. The West Indies are the perfect side for England to face right after their disappointing world cup.

county

hopefully a good start to a new era and i agree with the point of the windies being a prefect team to face atm

bucks73

Ill go for an England win also. Mainly because of Englands seamers. Windies youngsters wont have faced them on this kind of wicket before and will face a tough time. As long as Harmison gets his first ball right of course.

SSN saying this morning that Flintoff was still a doubt and Anderson was brought into squad as cover.

Dont suppose anyone knows a stream for this for those of us in work.

Royale with Cheese

Good, steady start for England. 85/0 at lunch. Flintoff doesn't play, and is replaced by Owais Shah. England obviously don't fear the Windies batting line up.

Rjd2

The West Indies bowling is as rubbish as ever, their is centuries here for Cook and Strauss if they keep their head.

Royale with Cheese

Looks like play is over for the day. England on 200/3, Cook on 102*

jimmii

Been a very nice innings from Cook so far hopefully he can carry it on tomorrow. I haven't look at the weather but hopefully they can get in a full day. It looks like it could be another match decided by weather. If its clear Engand win if they keep on taking them off everytime a cloud goes overhead then they won't get the chance to win. That statement West Indies released the other day really shows how bad they are and that they know it.

Marshy

Looks like its same old windies. Bowling not up to scratch really.

Just to add boyd rankin took 4-80 for derbyshire earlier. So continuing on his good form.

TrueDub

Marshy wrote:

Just to add boyd rankin took 4-80 for derbyshire earlier. So continuing on his good form.

That's brilliant, delighted for him. Shame he's not available for us next week against Canada.

Lucas10101

I echo TrueDubs sentiments.....

Royale with Cheese

End of play on day 2. England 553/5. Cook, Collingwood, Bell and Prior on debut all getting centuries. Still didn't get a bowl at the Windies.

Marshy

Just to add that Eoin morgan is 12th man for england.

county

Royale with Cheese wrote:

End of play on day 2. England 553/5.

only england could throw away a first innings score like that,will not be counting any chickens yet

county

england 553-5 dec
windies 43-1

mike65

I'm glad I did'nt pay NTL so I could watch this!

England declared on 553 for 5 (142.0 overs) and WI are already a man down


Mike.

cgf

187-5. The Windies are hopeless

Royale with Cheese

233/5 now. Starting to build a bit of a partnership

HonalD

WI slowly getting to follow-on target. Hoggard is being missed....I see Rankin got 8 in match.....another one slips thru' the net......

Royale with Cheese

Bravo gone. Caught off Collingwood. 75 to avoid the follow on with 4 wickets left.

Royale with Cheese

363/7 at stumps. Windies avoid the follow on. Match most likely heading for a draw now.

Marshy

Good fightback from the windies. 187-5 at one stage but managed to avoid the follow on.

England still in control though. If they dismiss WI for around 400 and bat the rest of the day, they'll make them bat out the draw on the final day.

cgf

Yeah, fair play to them. Some decent application. England need to turn them over in the morning session if they are to push on for a win. Could be a good days play tomorrow.

Marshy

Lunch, Day 4.

Eng 553-5d and 8-0

WI 437

Lead of 124

Royale with Cheese

West Indies need about 390 to win on the final day, England need 10 wickets. Apparently the forecast isn't too good though so this one is looking like a draw. Without Flintoff and Hoggard England will probably struggle to get the 10 wickets even if play is uninterrupted tomorrow.

mike65

Talk of the afternoon turning wet in south-east.

Mike.

Marshy

Almost a certain draw now. Only 8 overs bowled when rain stopped play earlier.

WI 42-0 chasing 401

Royale with Cheese

Drawwwwww

kensutz

Bring on the second series

county

bloody english weather

Marshy

county wrote:

bloody english weather

Yeah I suppose some things never change.