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West Indians – their spirit and interest elsewhere – crash to England by 6 wickets at Bristol

by Clayton Goodwin

I am healthy: it is the cricket that’s sick
Difference between the teams was greater than that

The sunshine made all the difference. Cricket in England could be enjoyed again rather than merely endured. The County Ground at Bristol, so rich in tradition and the memories of Dr W.G. Grace, Gilbert Jessop and Walter Hammond, was very much as a cricket ground should be. There was even a higher proportion than usual of West Indian supporters. It should have been possible to think ourselves back into the halcyon days of those teams led by Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards, if only ...........
The sunshine made all the difference – to the spectators, but not, it appears, to the West Indian cricketers. It had been possible – just – to sympathise with them in the cold of Chester-le-Street and amid the raid of Leeds. Here, however, was sunshine comparable to what they might have expected in the Caribbean. It did nothing, however, for their mood. The West Indian cricketers turned up at the County Ground – their spirit, interest and commitment (so it was deemed) had been left elsewhere.
Even while we were paying off the taxi-driver for the ride from Temple Meads railway station on the other side of the city the first two batsmen were out to fast bowler Stuart Broad (4-46) without a run scored between them. Andrew Strauss, who on winning the toss had invited the tourists to bat first, brought left-arm spinner Graeme Swann (1-26) early into the attack. Chris Gayle (31 from 28 deliveries with 3 fours and 2 sixes), whose recent interview with the Guardian newspaper was still the leading topic of conversation for the Caribbean contingent, hit the first ball for six, and – the crowd waited in the very expectation, so much had the pattern become – he was bowled by the second.
For a time it appeared that Shivnarine Chanderpaul (27) and Dwayne Bravo (50 from 58 deliveries with 6 fours and a six) would bring some stability to the innings. The former, uncharacteristically, fell to a lofted, uncontrolled pull and man-of-the-match Paul Collingwood (3-16), Broad and the West Indians’ own impetuousness rolled up the remainder of the order. West Indies were dismissed for 160 in 38.3 overs.
The malady was not only in their play. The crowd lost interest – even in the morning session. Somewhere towards the end of the West Indian innings (with the score around about one-hundred-and-thirty for 7) they started up the inane Mexican Wave by sticking up their hands and throwing torn items of paper all around. Such was the madness that Mexican Swine Fever would have been more appropriate. In front of the pavilion I met a long-time supporter of West Indian cricket, a near permanent fixture for more years than I care to remember, who had been in indifferent health. “How are you?” I asked. “I am healthy: it is the cricket that is sick” he replied.
England’s victory by 6 wickets by scoring 161-4 from 36 overs looks impressive. The batsmen got runs – Collingwood (47 n.o. with 4 fours and a six), Ravi Bopara (43 n.o. with 5 fours), Owais Shah (34) – and no bowler took more than one wicket. It looks impressive, but the mere statistics are misleading because the difference between the teams was even greater than that. Whereas this is not a particularly good England team, it is a particularly poor West Indies one.
As a colleague and myself set out on the long walk back to the railway-station, because the startlingly early finish meant that we had an unacceptably long time to wait for our scheduled train, we could not help back compare the West Indians of today with their predecessors of immediate yesteryear – “those ghostly batsmen playing to the bowling of a ghost”. Ah, the field is full of shades.
Oh, my Richards and my Greenidge long ago.

WEST INDIES END WITH A WHIMPER
AS ENGLAND WIN WELL

Spectators wrapped against the cold, England wrapped up West Indies
Bresnan proved his right to be in the team – Collingwood added comedy

The few spectators wrapped up against the biting cold, and England wrapped up the West Indies innings to win the Second Test Match by an innings and 83 runs at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street. Fast bowler Jimmy Anderson (4-38 from 16 overs) and Tim Bresnan (3-45 from 14 overs) took advantage of conditions in which, after three days play on a placed pitch, the ball began to move around. Bresnan, whose limited opportunities prevented him from sharing in the success of Onions and Swann, proved his right to be in the team. It was a poor performance by the tourists, whom Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47 with 6 fours), who plays his county cricket here with Durham, could not inspire to respectable resistance. Injured wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Ravi Bopara, who has sustained a direct hit while fielding close-in, were replaced by substitutes – Collingwood taking over at the wicket as on the previous evening.
Initially Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Lendl Simmons (10), aided by a break in the play for rain and by a cold wind, survived if not confidently then with less hazard than expected. At 141-4, however, Simmons hit an easy catch from Anderson to substitute fieldsman Borthwick on the off side. One run later Brendon Nash (1) turned the ball to the same fieldsman, now at square-leg, to give Tim Bresnan (2-40) his first Test Match wicket. Encouraged by that success, and in spite of bowling into a fierce wind, Bresnan had Denesh Ramdin (0) caught by Anderson at 146-6. The ball was now swinging and seaming appreciably – of which Anderson took full advantage against lower-order batsmen who had little experience of this type of bowling, at least of this quality. He shattered the wicket of Jerome Taylor (5) at 163-6 and from the last ball before lunch knocked back the off-stump of Sulieman Benn (0) at 167-6.
Play did not survive the interval long. With only a single added Chanderpaul edged a ball from Anderson to Collingwood, an unlikely wicket-keeper whose performance behind the stumps had added a touch of comedy. Fidel Edwards (4) showed aggression in hitting a boundary, but in trying to repeat the feat against Bresnan was caught in the deep by substitute fieldsman Turner leaving Lionel Baker undefeated on 4. The 176 total came from 44 overs.

WEST INDIES RESIST WITH GREATER DETERMINATION BUT FACE IMMINENT DEFEAT

West Indies must look to the weather for salvation
Onions strikes twice in the same over

England ended the fourth day of the Second Test Match at the Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street 144 runs (and an innings) ahead of West Indies who have 7 second wickets in hand. The tourists, boosted by Sarwan’s century in the first innings and a flurry of boundaries by Chris Gayle in the second, offered more determined resistance than might have been expected based on their performance hitherto. Fast bowler Jimmy Anderson (5-87 from 26.3), who had led the attack incisively on the previous evening, contributed again to the West Indies’ batting breakdown after its early promise and some strong hitting later on. With Gayle and Sarwan out within two balls of each other towards the close, West Indies must look to the weather for salvation.
Ramnaresh Sarwan (100 with 14 fours) dominated the morning session. In spite of suffering a painful blow to the body he was at ease and scored with the fluency to suggest that while he was at the crease the follow-on, and an England victory, were not inevitable. Fast bowler Stuart Broad (3-62 from 16 overs) bowled well and had Shivnarie Chanderpaul (23) caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior at 163-4. Sarwan reached his century off 131 balls with a boundary, but before he had added to the hundred Broad, who had peppered the batsman with well-directed short-pitched deliveries induced him to put up a catch to Tim Bresnan close-in on the off-side at 188-5, which was the total at which the teams came in for lunch.
Denesh Ramdin (55 from 82 deliveries with 7 fours and a six) and Brendan Nash (10) started the afternoon session with the same determination that they had shown at Lord’s. At 205 Nash played forward defensively to a ball from Anderson which bounced back and dislodged his bails. Jerome Taylor (10) offered a few lusty before he was l.b.w to Graham Onions (1-52) at 216-7. Starting hesitatingly Sulieman Benn (35 with 6 fours a six) then hit out with increased confidence. At 286 the Barbadian lofted a possible catch in the direction of Kevin Pietersen. The ball fell in front of the fieldsman who picked it up and threw down the wicket with a direct hit as the batsman, watching to see if the catch had been taken, took off for the run too late. Edwards (11), too, applied bat to ball until after tea – which was taken at 303-8 - he was caught by Andrew Strauss from Broad at 310. Without addition to the score Ramdin’s defiance was ended by a catch to Graeme Swann from Anderson. The 310 runs total was scored from 84.3 runs. The tourists followed on 259 runs behind – it could have been much worse. For the evening session Paul Collingwood took over the gloves when Prior went to hospital for attention to his injured finger.
Chris Gayle (54 from 43 deliveries with 6 fours and 2 sixes) and Devon Smith (11) batted with greater vigour, and, it appeared, enjoyment, in the second innings. The West Indies captain lofted drives to and over the boundary with apparent ease. Supporters could surmise on what might have happened if his first innings had not been cut short by that controversial decision. Smith, however, plays himself in only to play himself out. He has experienced particular difficulty against leg-arm spinner Swann (1-13) as he did, too, here – being l.b.w 53-1. Inspired by his captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (22 with 4 runs) looked as secure as he had in the first things. Then Onions (2-46), whose bowling had been plundered by Gayle, struck twice in the same over. Sarwan, who had been subjected to some short-pitched bowling, expected another delivery of that kind, but was surprised by a ball which kept low to be l.b.w at 88-2. One run later Gayle, taken aback by the bounce, edged a catch to Strauss at first slip 89-2. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (18 n.o.), showing more aggression than usual, and Lendl Simmons (3 n.o.) were together when the players came off for bad light at 115-2 from 22 overs.

WEST INDIES ARE OUT OF LUCK WITH THE WEATHER AND THE UMPIRE

Prior at his pugnacious best
Anderson’s hostile bowling

West Indies had little luck as England, 475 runs ahead at the close of play, built a strong position on the third day of the Second Test Match at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street: they had the worst of the weather - the England's bowlers were handicapped by having to use the wet ball - and suffered a bad umpiring decision. Nevertheless England, led by Alastair Cook’s century, and Jimmy Anderson’s effective hostile bowling in the fading light deserved the advantage which they had built on the firm foundation of the first day. Whatever hope the tourists had of achieving the victory necessary to retain the Wisden Trophy was batted and bowled out of them. The near-capacity crowd was an improvement on that seen previously but the match lacked the intensity of high international competition. The Ashes are “just around the corner” and it was noticeable in the words of officials, commentators and the public. West Indies, it seems, are just keeping the room warm until the proper guests arrive.
After nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson (14) was bowled by Fidel Edwards (1-113) at 326-3 Kevin Pietersen (49 with 9 fours) and Cook (160 with 17 fours) forced the early pace with the view to setting up an early declaration. Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (2-146) always posed problems with his height and variety of delivery and he induced Cook, who had been batting so well that a double-century seemed to be there for the taking, to top-edge a catch to Chris Gayle at 410-4. It was his highest Test Match score. Lunch was taken shortly afterwards at 411-4.
On the resumption Pietersen was caught by Lendl Simmons off Benn at 419-5. Matt Prior (63 with 7 fours) was at his pugnacious best as he punched fours square on the off-side. The Sussex wicketkeeper’s form justified the decision to play him as a specialist batsman (as well as wicketkeeper) which allowed the selectors to include five bowlers. Starting more slowly local hero Paul Collingwood (60 n.o. with 4 fours) picked up the pace in a 94 runs stand for the fifth-wicket. Amid speculation of an impending declaration Prior was caught by Benn of Simmons (1-60) at 513-6. This partnership put the match finally beyond the West Indians’ grasp. With drizzle and bad light threatening Collingwood and Stuart Broad (28 n.o. with 2 fours and a six) batted enterprisingly through to the interval at 569-6 from 147 overs – the highest first-class total achieved at the Riverside Ground – when Strauss declared the innings closed. There were 28 no-balls in the 61 extras. Benn apart, the other bowlers, even Edwards who had a long spell with greater purpose than on the opening day, hardly threatened the batting.
The evening session was punctuated by interruptions for bad light and rain. Anderson (3-28 from 8 overs) beat Devon Smith (7) for pace and bowled him at 18-1. Returning from one interruption Gayle (19 with 4 fours), struck high on the pad by Anderson, was given out l.b.w by umpire de Silva at 38-2. It was difficult to agree with the decision. The Jamaican may well enjoy playing Test Match cricket even less now. Simmons (8) struggled against inhospitable conditions until he edged Anderson to Strauss in the slips at 68-3. One run later the players came off for what appeared to be the final time at 69-3 from 15 overs. No – conditions changed again and time remained for Ramnaresh Sarwan (41 n.o. with 6 fours) to sustain a hit on the side of his head by a ball from Graham Onions and to accompany Shivnarine Chanderpaul (3 n.o.) to 94-3 from 26 overs before the twilight descended.

A TEST MATCH TOO FAR

By Clayton Goodwin

Cricket for people who do not like cricket
Authorities in North-east England must want to have their sport

The attendance at the first day of the Second Test Match at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, assessed officially at 5,000 – a figure which is considered by several commentators to have been a serious over-estimate, was the country’s smallest in modern times. People are just fed up with the state in which cricket finds itself. It has been a Test Match too far as the administrators are seen to be as some well-publicised politicians in trying to squeeze out every penny. “House full” attendances at the major set-piece Test Matches have hit the fact that in England cricket has been withering on the vine for some time.
The controversy over the officially-cited number of spectators tells its own story. It brings back also a sad case of déjà vu. Several years ago in a city not too far from Chester-le-Street in North-east England, but in a different sport, I was one of only two journalists covering an international match. That was one journalist too many. It seemed that my colleague had the franchise for sending reports to all the national newspapers, and writing up the report for the organisers of the event. In other words – what he wrote was the authorised version.
As we prepared to phone through our reports after the match – it was just before computer and e-mail became the accepted form of transmission – I asked innocently: “How many spectators were there? I would say no more than 500”.
“No, it was a thousand” he replied. On seeing my look of disbelief he ventured the opinion that the many school-children who had taken part in their own championship before the main events, and then stayed on to watch seniors, should be added to the number. Even then it did not come up to a thousand. At that moment an official of the sport’s national administration put his head round the door and said: “You will make it 1,500 spectators”.
Quite nonchalantly he explained to me: “We need to show progress here to qualify for a development grant. They won’t pay on anything less than 1.500”. So 1,500 people became the “official” figure for the slightly less than 500 spectators that I counted there. As a minor protest I made no mention of the attendance in my report. It did not matter. My colleague made sure that all the national newspapers, and through them those responsible for development grants, read the attendance figure which the sport’s administrators wanted them to read.
On reading the journalists’ doubts over the “official” attendance on the first day at the Riverside Ground I mused that the sport’s authorities in North-east England must really want to have their sport there.
More commentators than myself have commented on how the preparation of pitches over-friendly to the batsmen is having the opposite effect than that intended. The purpose, it is assumed, is that by making conditions difficult for the bowlers the match will “go the distance” – thereby ensuring that there is a fifth day’s crowd – rather than end early with the loss of potential revenue. However these pointless Test Matches with little chance of producing a definite result are killing interest. Very soon there could be a full house on none of the five days.
Because of the restricted attendance on the first day at Chester-le-Street there was insufficient patronage to keep the food stalls and the shops open. Today Test Match cricket, rather than the much-maligned Twenty/20, is becoming “cricket for people who do not like cricket”. It rained today and play was abandoned, and I did not go to the Riverside Ground. I shall not be going there tomorrow where or not it is raining.

COLD COMFORT FOR WEST INDIES

Seemed to settle for a pasting
Nightwatchman appeared to excite his ire

West Indies could not be expected to feel at home in the dull, chilling weather on the first day of the Second Test Match at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, and once Chris Gayle lost the toss they seemed to settle for the pasting which the England batsmen duly delivered. The host country reached 302-2 from 90 overs thanks duly to a 213 runs second-wicket partnership between the Essex duo Alastair Cook (126 n.o. with 14 fours) and Ravi Bopara (108 with 13 runs and a six).

It is difficult to get further North in a Test-playing country, and, indeed, the play was positively polar. Both teams were unchanged from the First Test Match at Lord’s. Although the West Indians did not seem to be so detached as they did in the previous matches, and fewer catches were dropped, their bowlers were disheartened by the placid nature of the pitch from which the ball did not deviate – not more so than the wicket-less Fidel Edwards. The Barbadian fired on something less than full cylinders until the arrival of nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson (4 n.o.) who seemed to excite his ire. Then Edwards gave him such a “going over” to suggest that he had put as much punch into the earlier exchanges the batsmen would not have everything quite so much their own way.
Andrew Strauss (26 with 4 fours) was in such control of the crease that his dismissal at 69 from 20.4 overs came as a shock. Off-spinner Gayle (1-28) drifted a ball down the left-hander’s leg-side. It should have been smacked for four, but Strauss hit over the top, edging / gloving the ball to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin who held the catch at the second attempt. His departure brought to the crease Bopara who went on to hit his third century in three consecutive Test Matches, all at the expense of the West Indies’ bowler.
Cook’s perceived fraility is belied by his tenacity. He left the stroke-play to his county colleague while he mixed defence with some well-placed off-side boundaries. Both batsmen picked up quick singles to fieldsmen placed a trifle too deep. Because of the cold weather, the financial crisis, the poor scheduling of the fixture, and the equally poor performance of the tourists, the ground did not exactly ring with applause from what was a paltry attendance. If Chris Gayle did wish he was elsewhere – he wasn’t the only one.
Just when it seemed that the batsmen would play out the day, to start again tomorrow, Bopara just missed a ball from quick bowler Lionel Baker (1-60) which moved in from just outside the off-stump to clip the bails. With slightly more than four overs to the close England did not risk Kevin Pietersen. Instead Anderson was asked to face up to Edwards who had dealt him a sickening blow on the side of the head at Lord’s. He tried to do it again and rapped him on the gloves – perhaps he should have tried to rap him on the stumps.

From the West Indies camp:

Gayle looking for victory in 2^nd Test

West Indies Captain Chris Gayle is looking for a victory in the 2^nd Test Match against England at the Riverside Ground, Durham. First ball is 11 am (6 am Eastern Caribbean Time/5 am Jamaica Time). The Windies lost the 1^st Test at Lord’s by 10 wickets but Gayle outlined that his team will be looking to bounce back and take the second match -- thereby levelling the series. Speaking ahead of the team’s training session on Wednesday afternoon the 29-year-old said he was committed to leading the team.
“I am definitely not giving up the captaincy after this Test match. I think I still have a big part to play in West Indies cricket. I always get the support of the team and the management staff. There is no conflict or problems in the team,” Gayle stated. “We want to focus on our cricket by getting the job done – winning this match and keeping the Wisden Trophy. Since I started as captain it has helped me with my game and it has helped me as an individual as well.”
He added: “I am committed to West Indies cricket. As a player I am totally focused on the upcoming match and what I need to do to be successful. As a team we are totally focused on what is required to defeat England. We had discussions after the 1^st Test and we know we have to be mentally strong in this match. It is a must win game and we will be looking to keep the Trophy. We will be attacking from ball one.”
Gayle said he never suggested he would be walking out on the West Indies team and would not turn his back on West Indies cricket. He also explained that there is “no bad blood” between himself and England captain Andrew Strauss.
“Test cricket will always be there. Test cricket is the ultimate. It is a test of you as a player and it is a test of character. You have to be mentally strong to cope with Test cricket as it runs over five days. Once you prepare properly you will be a worthy Test cricketer. “We have to get on with it. There is a job to be done tomorrow when we come up against England,” Gayle said. I have no hard feelings against Strauss. I have a lot of respect for him. There is no stand-off between Strauss and myself.”

The West Indies selectors have named the following players for the International Cricket Council’s Women’s World Twenty20 Championship in England in June:

Merissa Aguilleira (Captain)
Kirbyina Alexander (Vice Captain)
Shanel Daley
Deandra Dottin
Cordel Jack
Stacy-Ann King
Pamela Lavine
Debbie-Ann Lewis
Anisa Mohammed
Juliana Nero
Shakera Selman
Danielle Small
Charlene Taitt
Stefanie Taylor

Team management:
Patricia Greenidge (Manager); Sherwin Campbell (Coach), Jacqueline King-Mowatt (Physiotherapist), Shannon Lashley (Fitness and Conditioning Co-ordinator)

Tournament fixtures can be found at:
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/wt20-2009/womens-fixtures.html

Friday, 8^th May 2009: First Test Match at Lord’s

Nash and Ramdin resist – but it isn’t enough as England win by 10 wickets

Probably the most unlamented Test Match at Lord’s
Chanderpaul fell early for the second time in the match

Brendan Nash (81 with 14 fours) and Denesh Ramdin (61 with 13 fours) held up England long enough in a sixth-wicket stand of 143 runs to show what might have been, but it was not enough and the home team won by 10 wickets with two days to spare. It was probably the most unlamented Test Match at Lord’s that I can recall. For much of play the West Indians gave every appearance of wishing that they were elsewhere, and the spectators underlined the mood by being elsewhere. Yet it is here that the reputations of Ravi Bopara, Graeme Swann and Graham Onions have been made for the Ashes series ahead and beyond.
After an hour’s delay for drizzle Devon Smith (41 with 6 fours) and Lendl Simmons (21) batted with some purpose until with the score at 70 the former was caught by Alastair Cook by square-leg from Onions (2-64). Five runs later the usually obdurate Shivnarine Chanderpaul (4) fell early for the second time in the match to Swann (3-39) by way of a close-in catch by Bopara. Two balls later Onions bowled Smith at 79-5.With lunch taken at 80-5 the possibility of Nash and Ramdin taking England to a second innings seemed to be a distant prospect. Even so they batted, competently, almost throughout the prolonged afternoon session in which 145 runs were scored for the sole wicket of Ramdin who was bowled by Stuart Broad (3-64) close to the interval.
Coming out final session at 225-6, exactly the total required to make England bat again, Jerome Taylor (15) played some lusty shots until he was l.b.w. to Swann at 243-7. Sulieman Benn – as they say – did not trouble the scorer before playing down the wrong line to Swann and was bowled. Fidel Edwards (2) fended a ball from Broad rising towards his upper chest into the hands of Tim Bresnan. Bereft now of all partners but one Nash tried to force the score towards his hundred: Cook picked up the catch near the boundary from Broad’s bowling. Lionel Baker (2 n.o.) was not out in a total of 256 from 72.2 overs. England’s openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook scored the 32 runs needed to win in 6.1 overs.

Thursday 7^th May 2009: First Test Match at Lord's

Onions brings tears to West Indies’ eyes

Started the afternoon session in encouraging fashion
Swann-Collingwood partnership again – the floodgates were opened

Debutant fast bowler Graham Onions (5-38 from 9.3 overs – including three wckets in one over) made a miserable day even more miserable for a West Indies side which gave every impression of wishing that they were not there in cold, sombre conditions and playing in a match to which there was little point and for which there was little love. The point seemed to be to smother a birth the spark of renaissance which had been apparent in the Caribbean a few months earlier. The sparkling England catching in the evening session was a vivid contrast to that of their opponents the day before. The tourists’ malaise was apparent in the opening session as in murky light, which caused a break in play, and occasional very light drizzle they failed to prevent not-out batsmen Ravi Bopara (143 with 17 fours) and Graeme Swann (63 n.o. with 9 fours and a six) – they would see much more of him before the day was out – took their eighth-wicket partnership to 93 when the former was caught by Brendan Nash from Jerome Taylor (2-83) at 368-8. Shortly after Jimmy Anderson took a nasty smack on the side of the head as he ducked into a quick delivery from Edwards, England came in to lunch at 377-8.
West Indies started the afternoon in encouraging fashion: from the second ball on the resumption Fidel Edwards (6-92 from 26.3 overs) had Anderson caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and with the next bowled Onions to end the innings on 377 from 111.3 overs. Edwards had bowled so well without support in the field that it seemed to be a match Edwards v England. The left-handed partnership of Chris Gayle (28 with 6 fours) and Devon Smith (46 with 7 fours) settled easily against a less-than-convincing England attack. The West Indies captain chopped a ball from Stuart Broad (2-56) into his stumps at 46-1 and the same bowler had Ramnaresh Sarwan (13) caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior at 70-1. Even so Smith seemed set to realise at last hi natural talent, finding support from Lendl Simmons (16 with one six). The somewhat comfortable picture changed immediately off-spinner Swann (3-16 from 5 overs) came back into the attack. Smith played down the wrong line to his first ball and was bowled at 99-3. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the most – only – dependable batsman for so long, failed to get over the next ball and was caught by Paul Collingwood in the slips at 99-4, at which score tea was taken with the prospect of the follow-on still a long way off.
The Swann-Collingwood partnership accounted also for Nash at 117-5 – at which point the floodgates opened. That was the final delivery of the over. The first of the next over from Onions rose sharply and Simmons fended it to Andrew Strauss in the slips at 117-6. Two balls later Taylor was caught down he leg-side by Prior without scoring at 117-7.The decline was so sudden that Sulieman Benn (2) was still dressing as he made his way to the wickets. From the final ball of the over he was making his way back to the pavilion at 119-8. Onions had Ramdin (5) l.b.w. to the first ball of his next over at 128-9. Edwards (10 n.o.) and Lionel Baker (17) then set bat to ball with such confidence as to shame the earlier batsmen. They ended a somewhat hilarious run-out chance as bowler Broad fumbled a throw in from Anderson with both batsmen in the other half of the pitch. In the circumstances neither that nor two dropped catches seemed to matter. Eventually Baker was l.b.w. to give Onions his fifth wicket of the innings.
West Indies, dismissed for 152 in 32.3 overs, were asked to follow on 225 runs in arrears in circumstances that were hardly friendly to batting. This time Gayle, who appeared to wish that he had delayed his arrival in England yet another few days, did not get going – bowled by Anderson (2-22) without scoring at 11-1. Sarwan (1), who has not been enjoying a successful tour, chopped a ball from the same bowler into his stumps at 22-2. Smith (26 n.o.) and Simmons (7 n.o.) battled through until bad light brought a slightly premature close at 39-2 from 13 overs. West Indies still need to score 186 to make England bat again.

Wednesday 6^th May 2009: First Test Match at Lord’s

Edwards post-lunch blows blunted by poor West Indies catching

Edwards struck thrice shortly after the interval
Bopara played with increasing confidence

Fidel Edwards (4-53 from 19 overs) came close to delivering the knockout blow against the soft-centred England batting but poor West Indian catching in the evening session prevented him from justifying entirely captain Chris Gayle’s decision to invite the home country t bat first. A disappointing attendance for the earliest ever date for a Test Match, and the first to start on a Wednesday, was matched by swathes of unallocated seats in the usually over-crowded media centre. Few people in either country seemed to welcome the short two-match series, but West Indies are West Indies and there are some memories of the magic of yesteryear.
Andrew Strauss (16) was dismissed early on at 28-1 to a catch by wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin from Jamaican fast bowler Jerome Taylor (1-57). Alastair Cook (35) and Ravi Bopara (118 n.o. with 14vfours) took England comfortably to lunch at 88-1. Edwards struck thrice shortly after the interval. Cook played on at 92-2 and Pietersen was caught by Ramdin from the next delivery. Paul Collingwood (8) departed to a catch by Devon Smith from Edwards at 109-4. During this passage of arms Bopara seemed to survive a clear l.b.w. appeal against tall left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (2-80). The Essex batsman played with increasing confidence and was supported well by Matthew Prior (42 with 8 fours) to come in to tea at 182-4. The poor quality of the back-up bowling was illustrated by Lendl Simmons (0-24 from 5 overs) trundling the ball innocuously outside the off stump.
Prior hit Edwards straight to Simmons on the off side at 193-5 without adding to his tea-time score. Stuart Broad (38 with 5 fours) lived fortuitously, being the main beneficiary of the dropped catches, until he was caught by Taylor from Benn at 262-6. The same bowler had the benefit of a debatable l.b.w. decision against Tim Bresnan (9) – a little high perhaps ? – at 275-7. The pleasant sunshine had turned to an overcast chilliness as Bopara and Graeme Swann (7 n.o.) took England in at 289-7 from 90 overs. Honours even ? Probably. However the balance – as well as Fidel Edwards’ return – would have been much different if the West Indians had held on to their catches.

From the West Indies camp:

Outstanding Edwards takes four on opening day

Fidel Edwards started the two-match Test Series against England in fine fashion as he grabbed four wickets on the opening day of the 1^st Test at Lord’s. The 27-year-old bowled with great pace and hostility to take 4-53 from 19 overs as he again proved to be a wicket-taker. England closed on 289-7, with Ravi Bopara holding the innings together with 118 not out. Edwards described the pitch as a “slow” and said he knew he had to put in a huge effort for the team. He added that the “ball was swinging” -- a sure advantage for the bowlers. He also noted the Windies will be keen to limit the home side when play resumes on Thursday at 11 am [6 am Eastern Caribbean Time/ 5 am Jamaica Time].
“It [pitch] is green but it is pretty slow. I don’t mind the fact that it’s flat, but once the ball keeps swinging that will be ideal for me. My job is to bowl fast and get the ball in the right areas. This is Lord’s, the home of cricket, and every player dreams of doing well here. I had a good rhythm today and felt quite comfortable. Come tomorrow, we will look to maintain the pressure and look to bowl them out as early as possible,” the 27-year-old said.
Edwards was sensational after lunch, grabbing three wickets in a six-over spell. He sent back Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen to consecutive balls and also dismissed Paul Collingwood. The left-handed Cook dragged on a full length delivery; Pietersen was superbly caught one-handed by keeper Denesh Ramdin as he edged a perfect outswinger; and Collingwood was snapped up at second slip by Devon Smith. On taking the third scalp Edwards did a salute to the vocal West Indies fans assembled in the stands. He returned later in the day to have Matt Prior caught at cover by Lendl Simmons.
“That was a very good ball to get rid of Kevin. Hopefully I would be able to get a few more of those to him [in the upcoming matches],” Edwards noted. The West Indies missed chances in the evening session, but Edwards said he was not deterred and the aim is to soldier on. We could have been in a better position but our heads are not down. That’s Test cricket and you’ve got to move on from here.”
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Confident Windies all set for Lord’s Test

The West Indies will start their two-match Test Series against England full of confidence and looking to keep the Wisden Trophy. They had a three-hour training session on Tuesday and according to skipper Chris Gayle his team is mentally and physically ready for Wednesday’s opening day of the 1st Test at the historic Lord’s ground. First ball is 11 am (6 am Eastern Caribbean Time/5 am Jamaica Time). West Indies won the coveted trophy when the defeated England 1-0 in the five-match Digicel Series in February and March.
“Winning the series in the Caribbean was one of the best moments of my career and it will be even nicer to beat them over here in their home town. The real thing starts tomorrow [Wednesday]. It will be more challenging than back home. We are aware of the conditions and we know it will be tough,” said the 29-year-old Gayle, who will be playing his 81^st Test. We have players in the team who have played here before and we are up for the challenge. The first day of Test match can determine the outcome of a match so we will be looking for a good start and from there we can build on it.”
The Captain is backing his bowlers to deliver and is confident they can create major problems for the England batsmen.
“We have some good bowlers. Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards will be the ones to lead the attack. We also have some other bowlers who will be looking forward to getting a chance here at Lord’s and everyone will be keen to make a name and to do well for West Indies cricket,” Gayle noted. The pitch here at Lord’s is usually very good so we expect another excellent track. Whatever we get we will be ready for it. We have to be positive and look to get the better of England. England will be under a bit of pressure. We will try to stick to the basics and then apply pressure.”
The 2nd Test is at the Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street on May 14-18.

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Dyson backs team to bounce back

West Indies Head Coach John Dyson and his team are thinking positively ahead of the two-match Test Series against England, despite a 10-wicket against England Lions on Saturday at the County Ground, Derby. Scores in the match: West Indies 203 and 179, England Lions 311 and 72-0. The first Test against England is at Lord’s, starting on Wednesday at 11 am (6 am Eastern Caribbean Time/5 am Jamaica Time).
Dyson noted: “I believe we can bounce back from this defeat. As a team we have bounced back from a number of things before and I think we can put on a good performance in the first Test at Lord’s. We are looking forward to Lord’s.”
On Saturday, Shivnarine Chanderpaul played a typically assured knock of 50 off 68 balls with five fours. It was Chanderpaul’s second half-century in as many matches and the 88^th of his first-class career. In the process the 34-year-old left-hander reached 17 000 career runs. Lendl Simmons topscored with 63 -- including a six and seven boundaries -- in a fourth-wicket stand of 87 with Chanderpaul.
In the Lions’ first innings fast bowler Nelon Pascal bowled with sustained pace taking 4-61 in his second match in West Indies colours. Jerome Taylor took 3-54 to mark a successful return to the team after injury.
Dyson noted that even though the Windies finished on the losing end there were positive signs in the match against the England Lions.
“I thought Lendl played really well and Shiv again played very well. I thought Jerome had a very good spell with the new ball on his return and Pascal came back very well today to take four wickets and show his ability. In our first innings David Bernard batted maturely and he bowled some good spells when they batted. We have had moments where we showed how we need to play but we now have to put them together more consistently,” Dyson said.
The Windies are aiming to retain the Wisden Trophy they won when they defeated England 1-0 in the Digicel Series in the Caribbean in February and March.

West Indians crushed by England Lions with a day to spare
Result does little to counter-act “disrespect” shown by ECB chief

With the 10-wicket mauling of their team by the England Lions – and with a scheduled day to spare at the County Ground, Derby, West Indies gave further evidence that the improvement of recent months was being squandered by an ill-considered tour between the spring equinox and the Twenty/20 World Cup and ill-advised decision to permit their captain, Chris Gayle, to play in the IPL in South Africa instead if acclimatising to the conditions and – for want of a better word – bonding with his team. When Hugh Morris, Managing Director of Cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board, expressed his contempt for the tourists he was merely confirming the West Indies’ own apparent lack of self-esteem.
Morris, speaking of Flintoff’s injury, said: "Andrew has been extremely unlucky with injuries but if there is one saving grace it is that the injury has occurred now rather than on the eve of either the ICC World Twenty20 or the Ashes. Having the surgery now means that Flintoff should be available for both those events although he is certain to miss the Test series against the West Indies."
The batting failed yet again as 20 year-old Warwickshire quick bowler Chris Woakes (6-43) broke through the early order with Ramnaresh Sarwan (31 with 6 fours), alone, resisting. From 131-8 the middle and lower batting rallied round David Bernard (58 with 7 fours), Sulieman Benn (26) and Daren Sammy (22) taking the total to 203 from 64 overs. Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose made his first mark on the game, but not his last, with four catches in the innings.
Jamaican fast bowler Jerome Taylor (3-54) bit so trenchantly into the home batting that they stood soon at 13-3. Ian Bell (27), battling towards further Test Match recognition, and Samit Patel (27) stemmed the slide, after which Ambrose (117 with 20 fours and a six) and 21 year-old leg-spinner Adil Rashid (72 with 10 fours) gave the Lions a firm grip on the game by adding 152 for the seventh wicket. 22 year-old Grenadian fast bowler Nelson Pascal (4-68) wrapped up the innings at 311 for 72.5 overs. The West India bowlers ceded 42 extras including 13 no-balls.
Batting again 108 arrears the tourists were in early trouble again at 29-3 before opener Lendl Simmons (63 with 7 fours and a six) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (50 with 5 fours) battled through with a 87 runs stand for the fourth wicket. The remaining batsmen could make little of the pace of Liam Plunkett (4-30) and spin of Rashid (3-66) and were dismissed for 179 from 45.1 overs. Stephen Moore (30 n.o. from 30 deliveries) and Robert Key (33 n.o. from 29 deliveries) hit 72-0 from 7.32 to give the England Lions a convincing victory.

Chief Executive Officer of West Indies Cricket Board resigns

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) wishes to advise that it has received and accepted the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Donald Peters effective April 30^th 2009. The Board immediately commences the recruitment process to find a replacement and advises that further information on the post will be available on its website, www.windiescricket.com In the interim, Mr. Stephen Camacho will act as the Chief Executive Officer.

Rain ruins game at Essex as West Indian bowlers struggle

The county game between the West Indians and Essex at Chelmsford was drawn when the third day was washed out. The home side had much the better of the exchanges. The county batting based around Jaik Mickleburgh (58), Varun Chopra (50) and Alastair Cook (46) settled comfortably to push the score to 168-3. Off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine (3-32) put on brake on the lower order for whom James Middlebrook (46) steered the county to 263 from 80.2 overs.
The West Indian batsmen were unsettled by the Jamaica-born opening bowler Maurice Chambers (4-62) and slumped to 29-4. As has happened so often in recent years Shivnarine Chanderpaul (66 n.o. with 10 fours and 2 sixes) stood between his team and a complete breakdown. Medium-fast bowler Mervyn Whitfield (3-25) brought the innings to a close at 146 from 44.1 overs. Batting again 117 runs ahead Essex reached 175-3 from 47 overs at the end of the second day. Cook (74 n.o.) and captain-wicketkeeper James Foster (48 n.o.) shared an unbroken partnership of 77 runs but with the lead at 292 runs the rain came down overnight and continued throughout the day.

Simmons shines as West Indians draw opening game

The West Indians drew with Leicestershire at Grace Road, Leicester in the first game of the tour. As has become the custom of recent years the county fielded a side of less than full-strength aside the tourists. Nevertheless the West Indian batsmen settled as well as good be expected to the conditions but the bowlers, such only spinner Sulieman Benn, still have a point to proof. They have still two warm-up games before meeting England in the First Test Match.
The tourists performed well enough in limited their hosts to 182 with chief contributions coming from Matthew Boyce (45) and Wayne White (37 n.o.). Jamaican quick bowler 27 year-old Andrew Richardson (3-46) confirmed his promise of the youth tour to England eight years ago by bowling through the lower-order batting after left-arm 27 year-old Sulieman Benn (4-31) had prevented the specialist batsmen from giving the innings a more secure foundation.
Lendl Simmons (102 retired hurt with 11 fours and a six) held the West Indians’ innings together. Although batting at second-wicket down the 24 year-old Trinidadian added to the impression that he is the best of the candidates to be Chris Gayle’s opening partner in the Test Matches. He came to the crease after Dale Richards and Ramnaresh Sarwan had fallen to teenage medium-fast bowler Alex Watt (3-42). 31 year-old Brendan Nash (78 retired hurt) gave Simmons firm support and Denesh Ramdin (36) and Benn (23 n.o.) pushed the total to 320-6 dec from 99.5 overs.
The Leicestershire batsmen had little difficulty in playing out the draw at 238-6 with Boyce (55) and Joshua Cobb (53) receiving half-centuries. I remember the corresponding feature in 1980 which seemed to be drifting towards a similar draw. Then fast bowler Michael Holding took the ball and it was all over very quickly. Alas, there is no Michael Holding in this side.

Simmons strokes superb ton as Windies make 320-6

West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons got his tour of England off to a brilliant start with a polished century against Leicestershire County Club on the second day of the three-day first-class match at Grace Road. The stylish right-hander made 102 before he retired as the West Indies made 320-6 declared in reply to the home side’s 182. Leicestershire will start the final day on Wednesday on 51-1. The 24-year-old Simmons, who made his Test debut against England in March, hit 11 fours and a six off 195 balls in fours hours, to register his seventh first-class century. He reached triple figures with an exquisite drive which rocketed into the cover boundary.
“It feels really good to get a century and get ready for the Test Series against England. I played against England in Trinidad and got a feel of Test cricket so I’m now looking to continue from there and make more progress,” said Simmons, who started the day on 21 not out. Today I decided to keep my cool. At the start it was a bit difficult but as time went on it got much easier and I was able to play my strokes. It is a good start and I will be looking for more good scores in the upcoming matches,” Simmons added.
The knock was extra special as it was made at the ground where his uncle Phil Simmons, the former West Indies opener, played for five seasons and helped Leicestershire to two County Championship titles. It was Lendl’s second century at the ground. In 2006 he made a ton for West Indies ‘A’ Team.
“I am aware that he [Phil] played here and did very well so I was looking forward to making an impact as well. I played here before and got a score so I came back looking for more. I felt really confident and I enjoyed the way I was stroking the ball.”
He added a partnership of 154 with left-hander Brendan Nash, who also looked in fine touch making 78 with 11 boundaries as they dominated the bowlers in the morning session. Later in the innings Denesh Ramdin played well hitting four boundaries in a fluent 36 while Sulieman Benn made 23 not out with a six and three fours.
The 1^st Test at Lord’s on May 6-10. The 2nd Test will be at Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street, starting May 14.

WEST INDIES CHOOSE SEVENTEEN PLAYERS FOR TEST MATCH TOUR OF ENGLAND

Gayle and most of the leading players
Little in the team should keep England awake
West Indians buoyed by playing above expectations

The die is cast and the WICB have named the 17 players for their early summer tour of England. When it comes down to it captain Chris Gayle and most of the leading players are there. Dwayne Bravo, who has not recovered from injury, is only front-line player missing. It makes be admitted that the team bears poor comparison with some of the greater teams of the past, but could be its strength. Much will depend on the star performers staying fit, because the back-up players do not induce confidence.
There should be runs in a batting line-up which contains Gayle, himself, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash, but with Bravo out there are two major weaknesses in the top six positions. Neither Dale Richards nor the talented but hitherto disappointing Devon Smith can claim the second opening position as a right, and Lendl Simmons could be the better complement to the fast-scoring Gayle. If the latter is moved to the middle-order he will contest a place with Narsingh Deonarine and the allrounders Nelon Pascall, who, it is assumed, is a direct replacement for Bravo, and David Bernard.
The fast bowling will be spearheaded by Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor. Support bowlers Lionel Baker and Andrew Richardson could be suited by English conditions, and Darren Sammy has proved his worth already here. As the sole specialist spinner Sulieman Benn will look for support from Gayle and Deonarine. Wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin is the vice-captain.
While there is little in this team that should keep England awake – in England – it is difficult to see how it could be strengthened in any significant way. It is assumed that Pollard and perhaps Andre Fletcher are being held back for the Twenty/20. Nevertheless the West Indians will be buoyed at having played above expectations in the recent home series against the same opposition, and Gayle does seem to have the knack of bringing out the best in the side. With just three warm-up games and two Test Matches – even if it is stretched to the three limited-overs matches – seventeen players seems to be over-heavy for the task in hand.