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Day 3
Never looking in, but carving out more of a lead, England climbed their way out of the mire of 39/5 to the foothills of possibilities of hope of 123, leaving a target of 192. England have never defended such a low target against the West Indies but records are there to be broken!
Alas records weren't to be broken, good bowling from Broad and Anderson was countered by some determined batting from one time Nottinghamshire's Darren Bravo (82), West Indies winning inside three days by 5 wickets.
Day 1
Big credit to Alastair Cook, his first Test century for 2 years hassaved England from a dire position and salvaged a competitive score (to quote G Boycott). Cook failed to turn his ton into a big century, falling before the close. Aided by a Moeen Ali 50, England finished day one on 240/7.
All the good work done on Day 1 was thrown away on Day 2.
The last three England wickets lasted for just a blink of the eye. Early inroads into the West Indies batting was lost as Jermaine Blackwood, showing no fear, bludgeoned 85 and in the process brought West Indies back into the game. Time for England to almost lose the end? Yes!
With a lead from the first inning of 68, England were blown away in the last session, closing on 39/5.
The pitch is turning and England, as Notts are set-up to do more often than not, have entered the game without a specialist spinner in their eleven.
NO MORE FAITH
With Adam Lyth in the tour party, why, why, oh why open with Jonathan Trott again?
It makes no sense. Trott has passed his sell by date in terms of Test cricket, unfortunately for England and him.
Out again today for another waddling, quacking duck, leaving England in the guano, again!
Another Bear Duck rang out. as Ian Bell (for nought) followed Gary Ballance (18) back to the dressing room - England looking for stability at the top of the order.......... 47/3
Second Test Grenada 25/04/2015
With play happening on St George's Day, aptly this match was played at the St George's ground on Grenada.
Is it time for Stuart Broad to play county cricket, to improve his confidence with his BATTING?
Day 4 comment:
Toothless bowling looks to be reducing this test to another draw; England with no variation in their attack, look to have squandered the advantage handed them by Joe Root's magnificent 182*. England must remove the remaining 8 West Indies wickets, at a good strike rate as effectively every run counts as double in terms of time, then chase down a total which currently stands at 37.
However; a morning to remember for Jimmy Anderson, involved with everything, taking wickets, taking catches and getting run outs; West Indies limped along and after lunch were dismissed for 307 Anderson 4/43, Moeen Ali 3/51 England 8/105 on the final day.
Target 143
In spite of losing Jonathan Trott for 0, England won by 9 wickets.
First Test (Jimmy Anderson's 100th) Antigua 18/04/2015
After positioning themselves into a push for victory, England fell frustratingly near to forcing a win; the stubborn, determined batting (almost heroic by Jason Holder) and a dead wicket the eventual dominant factor in a drawn Test. England's final push for a win, eight wickets to be taken on the final day was reminiscent of Nottinghamshire's similar frustrations earlier in the week at Lord's, came despite two double failures by the England openers Cook and Trott; whilst there were centuries by Bell and Ballance.
As the fixture ended in a draw, everyone's ovedrwhelming memory of this game will be that it was the match in which Jimmy Anderson: firstly equaled IT Botham's all time record wicket haul for England total and then surpassed that total (10 overs later).
384 is the new magic number for Stuart Broad to aim at.
St Kitts Invitation XI v England XI
Against a "friendly" opposition England had the better of the opening day's exchanges.
Ben Stokes took 3 wickets in 5 balls to rip the guts out of the St Kitts upper order with all the bowlers sharing the other wickets.
A second game against the "same" opposition involved a number of the England squad swapping colours and making a game of it.
St Kitts 59 all out
England 181/1 Jonathan Trott 72, Alastair Cook 95*
On paper a near perfect day for the Tourists but are the opposition of a high enough quality to benefit England or to challenge England? Is this just like having net practice?
Day 2 saw Cook make 101 with Root and Bell both reaching 50s.
England declared and then reduced the hosts to 76/7 when they ran out of time; 3 wickets for Murali Tredwell.
Tykes v MCC 24/03
Second time around, Cook didn't fare much better but Compton made 74. MCC were always second best to a strong Champions XI and Yorkshire eventually won by 9 wickets on just day 3.
Over all a poor work out for the England skipper and England eternally hopefully, Graham Onions, who is now carrying an injury.
...................................................................................................
In the 2015 season opener in Abu Dhabi, Adam Lyth out did Alastair Cook and former England favourite, Nick Compton, in scoring the first century of the season from opening the batting. Both Cook and Compton had flopped in MCC's first innings.
Jonathan Trott, following his lay-off and rehabilitation with England Lions, returns to the senior squad for the brief tour of the West Indies in the spring.
Joining Trott are several fellow Lions. Champions Yorkshire have 6 representatives. For Notts, James Taylor is the surprise omission, but from a Nottinghamshire POV, that's all good for Notts.
Stuart Broad must count himself lucky to be retained.
A whining (about his non-selection for the ODIs / CWC) Alastair Cook returns as captain.
The England
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex),
Adam Lyth (Yorkshire),
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire),
Gary Ballance, (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire),
Ian Bell (Warwickshire),
Ben Stokes (Durham),
Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire),
Jonathan Bairstow (wk), (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid, (Yorkshire)
Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire),
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire),
James Anderson (Lancashire),
Chris Jordan (Sussex),
Mark Wood (Durham),
James Tredwell (Kent)
England in the West Indies
6-7 April: two-day warm-up, St Kitts
8-9 April: two-day warm-up, St Kitts
13-17 April: 1st Test, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
21-25 April: 2nd Test, Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
1-5 May: 3rd Test, Kensington Oval, Barbados
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