Windies vs England

[Mibbes Aye]

Decent start by the Windies, currently 123-1 pushing on for halfway through the first day.

A quickfire 44 from debutant John Campbell was a good entrance into Test cricket. The Windies now have Braithwaite and Hope at bat. I really like Shai Hope, he's a great young batsman with huge potential.

The bowling should be interesting. The Windies seem to have gone with four pacemen while England have opted for two spinners and of their quicks only Stokes can be argued to be seriously fast, though I can understand why England went with the slower Curran on the basis that he offers so much with the bat.

[Mibbes Aye]

And how quickly things turn. early tea taken because of light rain, with Stokes and England managing to snap up two wickets.

I think the Windies are still well-poised, I also think England are over-reliant on Stokes to find the breakthrough in the bowling, especially in such strong heat. But I also think England have proven strength at bat.

All in all it feels nicely balanced after the first two sessions.

[weecounty hibby]

Watching cricket in the West Indies makes me wish I was 5 years older and about to retire. This will certainly be something I do when I am retired

[weecounty hibby]

Fairly even so far today. I'd like to see the Windies make a competitive series of it. It's a shame to see how far they've slipped. I grew up watching Lloyd, Richards, Greenidge, Haynes, Marshall, Holding etc. Great players, great team

[Mibbes Aye]

Fairly even so far today. I'd like to see the Windies make a competitive series of it. It's a shame to see how far they've slipped. I grew up watching Lloyd, Richards, Greenidge, Haynes, Marshall, Holding etc. Great players, great team

Truly dominant and formidable :agree:

Play called at 264-8.

If the second session was England's the third session was heading the way of the Windies until the new ball was taken. Three wickets for Anderson and one at the death for Stokes have shifted the balance somewhat.

Very impressed by Shimron Hetmyer though. Another very talented-looking Windies batsman. I've certainly enjoyed having one eye on the cricket more than one on the football.

[weecounty hibby]

Good day in the end for England. Anderson is a genius and I have no idea how England will replace him when he eventually retires

[Tobias Funke]

Good day in the end for England. Anderson is a genius and I have no idea how England will replace him when he eventually retires

Anderson is brilliant, if he hadn't been such a slow burner and had hit the ground running in the early stages of his career then he would be close to Warnes test wicket haul right now and looking towards Muralis. I can see him continuing until he is 40, he is in such good shape.

Its a shame Steyn has been dogged by injury in recent years as its likely he would be up there with Anderson in the test wickets count right now, the battle between them would have been great to watch develop. Steyn is a better bowler in my opinion though, his average says it all. In fact the current three SA quicks averages are scary.

[JeMeSouviens]

Anderson finishes with 5/46, Windies all out 289.

Big pressure on Keaton Jennings. He got that big century in Sri Lanka but didn't back it up. I'd imagine if he doesn't do well in this series that'll be him?

[Mibbes Aye]

I thought Hetmyer played with a real flourish, probably had licence to do so. Anderson finished with great figures.

Shaky start for England, two down just after lunch but they have enormous batting depth.

The pitch does look like it has something to offer a tall paceman though and the Windies are stocked with them. I particularly like Holder, I think he developing into a fine, clever bowler.

[Mibbes Aye]

Anderson finishes with 5/46, Windies all out 289.

Big pressure on Keaton Jennings. He got that big century in Sri Lanka but didn't back it up. I'd imagine if he doesn't do well in this series that'll be him?

The problem with the England openers is I doubt there is anyone left!

I heard one commentator describe Burns as “...the last cab on the rank” and he just hasn’t performed at Test level.

I think I argued before that they should stick with a pair and let them find form, however long it takes. They have such a long tail that they could get away with that against a lot of sides in a lot of conditions. Another option was to persuade Bairstow to open but they seem to have identified him as the solution to the number three problem.

[Mibbes Aye]

Six wickets for 19 runs in just a few overs, including a five-fer for Kemar Roach.

As English collapses in the Caribbean goes, it's just like the old days :greengrin

AS I type the Windies introduce the fourth of their pace quartet, there really is no respite for England. Joseph is very much learning his trade, he's only 22, but his first-class figures are very respectable.

Looks like Sam Curran has been told to go for it though.

[Mibbes Aye]

Just for anyone interested, I'm on Yorkshire CCC's mailing list and they are running a competition around this series with a prize of hospitality for two at Headingley for the ODI against Pakistan in May.

It closes at midnight tonight. I assume you just have to sign up to their mailing list and you will get an email with a ink to the competition.

The competition itself is quite fun - a point per correct prediction. Which team will win the series, which player will score most runs, take most wickets, take most catches etc etc.

It's a bit of harmless fun but a decent prize. I was very tempted to go with Root for most catches as he is pretty efficient in the slips but changed my mind and went for Dowrich, the Windies keeper. It felt a bit counter-intuitive but he's got great movement and the Windies are bowling from such height that the ball is going to him regularly. Two catches already which is the same as Foakes and one less than Root but as things stand Dowrich looks he will be the one getting more opportunities :greengrin

[Mibbes Aye]

77 all out. The question is whether the Windies enforce the follow-on. It's not common these days but the Windies have only bowled 30 overs and two balls!!

[weecounty hibby]

Ooft. 77 all out. Just like the old days in the Caribbean.

[weecounty hibby]

77 all out. The question is whether the Windies enforce the follow-on. It's not common these days but the Windies have only bowled 30 overs and two balls!!

I think they will probably bat again. Even if they only make 200 that will be beyond England leaving them probably two days to bowl them out

[Mibbes Aye]

I think they will probably bat again. Even if they only make 200 that will be beyond England leaving them probably two days to bowl them out

Yup, you're right. I suppose one of the factors is that there's little or no chance of facing the two English spinners on a deteriorating pitch, though it looks like it's firm and with a decent bit of bounce.

[Mibbes Aye]

Windies not hanging about, taking 13 of the first two overs.

[JeMeSouviens]

England fighting back, Windies 61/4.

[Mibbes Aye]

Shows how much I know. The pitch still looks pretty decent, though not entirely flat but Moeen has come in and taken three wickets.

Windies with a lead of 273 with six wickets in hand though.

[JeMeSouviens]

I think they will probably bat again. Even if they only make 200 that will be beyond England leaving them probably two days to bowl them out

tbh, they’ve probably already got enough at 273 ahead.

[Mibbes Aye]

Hetmyer and Dorwich have really motored the Windies on, must have added more than fifty runs as a partnership so far.

[Mibbes Aye]

And the Windies finish on 127-6, a lead of 339 but still with three days' play left.

Over in Brisbane an entertaining first day in Australia vs Sri Lanka.

Australia bowled out SRL for 144 with Mitchell Starc nabbing his 200th Test wicket. Pat Cummins was on form again with 4-39 but probably the standout was their Test debutant Jhye Richardson who took 3-26, all out of the SRL top order and probably could have had more. His cleanbowl of Mendis was a lovely delivery and worth a quick look on YouTube for those who like that sort of thing.

What would definitely have been worth a trip to YouTube was Travis Head's spectacular catch off Nathan Lyon's bowling. He spun through the air, well off the ground but maybe jumped a quarter-second too early and the ball hit his wrist rather than being caught. No wicket, but it would have been a beauty if he had got it.

Back to Richardson and he looks the part. He already has a decent record in first-class and short games and at the age of 22, he could have a career. He certainly adds another option to what was already a pretty strong Australian pace attack.

Credit to the Sri Lankans who batted aggressively and entertainingly, with a number of reverse sweeps. For those less familiar with cricket terminology, this is a particular and peculiar batsman's shot that takes quite a lot of technique to pull off successfully, but if executed thus can yield four runs (and a couple of very adept players can even manage sixes from it). It is very unortodox however, to the extent that I once read it described as the equivalent in football of taking a penalty with your head........

[murray26]

Atleast Keaton Jennings has saved his career by being England’s top run scorer😊

[Mibbes Aye]

Through the night the Australians managed to get on top of SRL with their batting, without being too dominant.

Biggest thing of note was probably Labuschagne and Head establishing a decent partnership for 150 or so runs in the middle order. Early days and on a home pitch against one of the weaker Test sides but if they can build on partnerships like this then it is another step forward in Australia’s recovery.

[Mibbes Aye]

Travis Head looking good, he’s just gone past his Test best of 72 and without jinxing it could be on for a big score and his first century. At the other end the Aussies have another debutant in Kurtis Patterson. Don’t know much about him other than he has relatively decent figures for NSW but I guess this is an opportunity to push for Ashes selection in a very fluid Aussie batting line-up.

[Mibbes Aye]

I knew I would jinx it!

Head out from a great lbw off Lakmal and as I type he has also just got Paine caught beautifully in the slips. On a
hat-trick now but it’s the end of the over so he will have to wait!

[Mibbes Aye]

No hat-trick for Lakmal!

It was a build-up though, with four slips, a gully and a point. You don’t see that very much these days!

It’s been a torrid few deliveries for Cummins but if he can settle in then Australia can push on and probably seal the match.

[Mibbes Aye]

Australia end up with a first innings lead of 179.

Mitchell Starc fulfilled the duty expected of Australian fast bowlers with a swashbuckling 26 runs from 25 deliveries. The newbie Patterson managed 30 and will be disappointed not to have gone further but I reckon he might be looking like a middle order pick.

For SRL, it was all about Lakmal. 5-75 and no shortage of effort or skill in taking his wickets.

[Mibbes Aye]

Sri Lanka get put back in for the last few overs of today’s play and Pat Cummins takes a wicket with the last ball of the evening. Australia must be happy with that script.

[Mibbes Aye]

Fantastic morning session from the Windies.

Dorwich and Holder left the field last night and left the field again at lunch today.

A 117-run partnership, half-centuries apiece.

England's bowlers will be feeling the heat and Holder has exposed them remorselessly, now on 80 from 93 balls.

The lead is 449, it's just a question of how long the Windies want to keep England toiling in the field.

[weecounty hibby]

Fantastic morning session from the Windies.

Dorwich and Holder left the field last night and left the field again at lunch today.

A 117-run partnership, half-centuries apiece.

England's bowlers will be feeling the heat and Holder has exposed them remorselessly, now on 80 from 93 balls.

The lead is 449, it's just a question of how long the Windies want to keep England toiling in the field.
If I was captain I would keep them in the field all day and maybe have a dart at the openers in the last half hour of the day. Buy I would have made a terrible captain!!

[JeMeSouviens]

England get to the close on 56/0. Not a single wicket fell today, bizarrely.

Presumably they’re going to spend the night raindancing.

[Calvin]

Sri Lanka get put back in for the last few overs of today’s play and Pat Cummins takes a wicket with the last ball of the evening. Australia must be happy with that script.

I was at The Gabba yesterday and that was definitely the highlight... some reward for managing to last until the final ball!

As you say, a decent day for Australia without being too spectacular.

Really happy that Jhye has such a good first day. I was interested to see how he’d get on at test level as his shirt form exploits speak for themselves. We’ve definitely missed him for the Scorchers in the BBL for most of this season.

[Mibbes Aye]

I was at The Gabba yesterday and that was definitely the highlight... some reward for managing to last until the final ball!

As you say, a decent day for Australia without being too spectacular.

Really happy that Jhye has such a good first day. I was interested to see how he’d get on at test level as his shirt form exploits speak for themselves. We’ve definitely missed him for the Scorchers in the BBL for most of this season.

I watch a bit of the short games when I can and watch the Test side when I can, including this series, sleep permitting :greengrin

How do you rate Jyhe and who would you plump for in the batting order?

[Mibbes Aye]

Drama on the stoke of lunch! England had the morning session, with Burns steadily piling on the runs. There's two full days left and a strong batting line-up so you wouldn't have ruled out the admittedly tenuous possibility that England could see things out, or dare say it, even make history and win the thing.

However, Chase snagged Burns with a ball that just went right through his guard and it's now 134-2, trailing by 493.

Burns had a good innings but he looks so vulnerable - he tries to play down the slips all the time and a better fielding side will undo him, you've got to think.

[Mibbes Aye]

Vital wicket for the Windies with Chase taking Root, caught in the slips with a pretty straight one for 22.

England now 167-4 midway through day four.

[Mibbes Aye]

The Windies have passed up a couple of chances, most notably Gabriel overstepping the crease for a no-ball earlier in the innings.

Chase is having a great game though. His figures today are remarkable compared to his career average.

[Mibbes Aye]

Chase again, this time bowling Stokes with another straightish delivery.

Just before tea, so timely, and also Stokes was really starting to settle in.

Personal consolation for Stokes was that he reached his 3000 in Test runs, joining that small band who have accomplished that and taken 100 Test wickets.

As for Chase, I would have to look it up but I would be astonished if he doesn't end up with his best career figures in this game.

[Mibbes Aye]

Tight field and Moeen plays a terrible shot to lose his wicket. Tea called, England 217-6 and there can't be too long to go when they resume surely.

Chase now on 4-50. I checked his stats and his best is 5-121 against India in Jamaica a couple of years ago. He's certainly on course to better that.

He's only taken four in an innings on three previous occasions, all on home soil other than once - against England at Edgbaston.

[Mibbes Aye]

All done and the Windies win by a handsome margin.

They have a really good, young side and I'm convinced they will climb the rankings as time goes on.

Roston Chase finished with 8-60. Remarkable stuff from a part-time spinner who doesn't really spin it at all, but he's been lethal and those figures are what any bowler would be happy with as a career-best.

[JeMeSouviens]

All done and the Windies win by a handsome margin.

They have a really good, young side and I'm convinced they will climb the rankings as time goes on.

Roston Chase finished with 8-60. Remarkable stuff from a part-time spinner who doesn't really spin it at all, but he's been lethal and those figures are what any bowler would be happy with as a career-best.

Great to see some life in Windies test cricket.

[Mibbes Aye]

Great to see some life in Windies test cricket.

:agree: by tons.

I was lucky enough to see their Test side last year and there were positive signs - Shai Hope in particular.

They have played out England very well in this match.

[Mibbes Aye]

Second Test starts on Thursday and there are certainly suggestions of changes in the English line-up.

It seems a given they will bring Broad back in and probably drop Rashid. If I was Jennings I would be worried about my peg but it is difficult to see what options England have left. Likewise Burns - he made a decent knock in the game but it was after many failures. England don't really have any fresh options though.

I don't expect the Windies to change anything - if anything, some of the younger players took their chance and staked a claim.

It's a curious situation. England are rightly going into the World Cup as one of the favourites. At Test level they are strangely in disarray.

They have enormous batting depth but rely on a pace attack that works best at home and has the clock ticking. The Ashes will confront them with a formidable pace attack that can work in English conditions, alongside Lyon who has matured into quite the bowler.

Chuck in the return of Smith and Warner to what was an unsettled batting line-up and we have game on.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Another terrible start - England 17-2.

[JeMeSouviens]

All out for 187. Pitch reportedly showed lots of uneven bounce. We’ll see in the next hour and a bit.

[brianmc]

All out for 187. Pitch reportedly showed lots of uneven bounce. We’ll see in the next hour and a bit.

Aww naw.......(looks in wardrobe for anything remotely connected to Antigua and Barbuda 😁)

Edit: Fails..

[Calvin]

I watch a bit of the short games when I can and watch the Test side when I can, including this series, sleep permitting :greengrin

How do you rate Jyhe and who would you plump for in the batting order?
Sorry for the delayed response to this one!

I don't watch that much test stuff to be quite honest (least of all Australia) but have been down here for the last 5 weeks so seemed rude not to.

It was great to see Joe Burns play so well yesterday and today and is now (IMO) a lock for the Ashes. I personally wouldn't let David Warner back in when the test side seem to be doing alright... but at the same time I'm not as impressed as the Australian media seem to be by Khawaja (far too mercurial) and Harris (no great shakes but I do concede he's only tested v India.)

As for Jhye, he got a bit of a wake up call today but I think he's still good enough for ashes selection. In fact, I rate him above Starc just now - I think he's more consistent.

I was at The Gabba again for my third Scorchers game of the year last night and the Marsh brothers have truly lost the plot, and even Andrew Tye who is my favourite seems to have dropped the ball in more ways than one. However Jason Behrendorff performed fantastically and I think it's really a shame he got dropped for the third ODI last month as that's when Jhye cemented his test call up - I'd have liked to see him tested in the long form.

[Mibbes Aye]

Sorry for the delayed response to this one!

I don't watch that much test stuff to be quite honest (least of all Australia) but have been down here for the last 5 weeks so seemed rude not to.

It was great to see Joe Burns play so well yesterday and today and is now (IMO) a lock for the Ashes. I personally wouldn't let David Warner back in when the test side seem to be doing alright... but at the same time I'm not as impressed as the Australian media seem to be by Khawaja (far too mercurial) and Harris (no great shakes but I do concede he's only tested v India.)

As for Jhye, he got a bit of a wake up call today but I think he's still good enough for ashes selection. In fact, I rate him above Starc just now - I think he's more consistent.

I was at The Gabba again for my third Scorchers game of the year last night and the Marsh brothers have truly lost the plot, and even Andrew Tye who is my favourite seems to have dropped the ball in more ways than one. However Jason Behrendorff performed fantastically and I think it's really a shame he got dropped for the third ODI last month as that's when Jhye cemented his test call up - I'd have liked to see him tested in the long form.

Cheers for that, I’ve seen a little bit of Behrendorff. He has good figures but it’s now looking tight to try and break into the Test side as a pace bowler, given the strength they have.

Sri Lanka aren’t in a great place and have had bad luck with injuries but the series must be a real confidence boost for Australia, especially after this Test with Patterson, Head, Khawaja and Burns getting centuries.

Im not a Khawaja fan, I really don’t rate him but he has changed his style and shed pounds to make himself fitter and the selectors seem to have decided he is who they want.

Really looking forward to the Ashes now. I was always convinced by the Aussie bowling attack but less sure of their batting. All of a sudden the line-up has a lot more confidence and the prospect of Smith returning.

[Mibbes Aye]

Lack of updates on the WI series due to being on holiday :greengrin

What a state England have got themselves into. They went to the Caribbean confident of a series win to set them up nicely for the Ashes and have been out-thought and out-fought by a very talented and young Windies side.

Opening bat is still not settled, I think they have to stick with Jennings for however long it takes, he does have talent and is a fine fielder.

Ive talked a lot about the strength and depth of English batting but the senior players were cruelly exposed on this trip and couldn’t deal with a formidable pace quartet let alone the almost comically-straight spin of Roston Chase.

England are better than this and will play better on home soil but this is an emerging Windies side. I think this is the first Test series they have won in ten or so years, bar beating Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Big questions for England ahead of the Ashes though to be honest they can probably produce one more solid series from Anderson and Broad, and they have batsmen somewhere between three and nine to put on big scores.

[Mibbes Aye]

Third Test starts on Saturday and there are big decisions for England to make. It will be fascinating to see what they decide team-wise.

What doesn’t help them is Australia finding momentun. Mitchell Starc seems to have gotten over his slump with ten wickets in the Second Test and regularly bowling over 150 kph. Cummins had another excellent game and has some ridiculous average in this series. Richardson has emerged as a player who gives them the option of a four-man pace attack though they probably won’t need that in England.

Batting-wise, there have been big scores for most of the top and middle order and the prospect of Smith and Warner returning.

England really need to sort out the top three and it is telling that they are publicly debating whether to go positive or defensive. I think they are desperate for the return of Haseeb Hameed, whom they need to stick with, and then do likewise with someone else, probably Jennings. Next step is finding a number three and I’m not convinced that Bairstow is the answer though I wouldn’t rule him out as an opener..

In the absense of a natural candidate, and I’ve said this before, I think Root needs to man up and take the slot. It might lower his average but he is the best-equipped in the current squad to do it.

[Mibbes Aye]

Just watching the highlights of SRL’s second innings against Australia.

Rightly Starc and Cummins pick up the plaudits for tremendous and aggressive bowling but I’m ever so impressed with Jhye Richardson.

On the right pitch and in the right conditions the thought of Starc and Hazlewood opening the bowling and at the change, being replaced by Cummins and Richardson, must be bloody terrifying. No respite whatsoever and then the trickery of Lyon and the decent-enough part-time bowling of Smith and Head.

I said earlier I didn’t think Australia would opt for four quicks in the Ashes but there’s are at least a couple of pitches where it could be viable and when it comes down to it, winning a Test means taking twenty wickets first and foremost.

Assuming Warner and Smith slot in then I think you are talking about them keeping Burns in. I would like to see Harris keep his place but I don’t see them dropping Khawaja. That leaves Head and Patterson fighting it out for the last place as they will need to retain Lyon.

Ideal world, they go Warner and Burns up top, maybe rest Harris or go with him if they feel they can’t bring Warner back. Smith at three, Head at four and Patterson at five. That still leaves some batting depth as Starc and Cummins are more than capable of putting on runs and Hazlewood isn’t shoddy either. And it gives them a four-pronged pace attack, a world class spinner and a couple of decent back-ups.

Harsh for Harris, Labuschagne and Khawaja but that’s the nature of the game at this level.

[Mibbes Aye]

Injury concerns for England ahead of the Third Test in St Lucia with Stokes, Foakes and Woakes all carrying sprains, strains or knocks (bizarre that their names all rhyme, I wonder if there has ever been a Test squad with that many rhyming names before...).

If Stokes is out, Woakes would have been the obvious replacement. If Foakes is out then that calls for a serious rejigging of the order. If all three are out then England have real issues on a pitch that is likely to be hard and full of bounce.

For the Windies, Ricky Holder is out, ridiculously suspended for his team bowling their overs too slowly in the previous Test. I’m hoping his replacement for this match is Oshane Thomas. He is another youngster, 21, tall and very, very fast and has been attracting lots of praise both in the Windies and for his performances on the sub-continent. It will be interesting to see how he goes with the red ball.

[Mibbes Aye]

Just caught the latter half of a Big Bash League game from Australia - Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder.

The Heat chased their target in around half their twenty overs, in no short thanks to Ben Cutting, who hit something like 81 from 30 deliveries in an absolutely enthralling knock. If anyone has ever played Stick Cricket on their phone or tablet it was basically that sort of style :greengrin

I think he retired not that long ago from first-class cricket (i.e. red ball at the highest level nationally and Tests).

It is easy to see why the likes of T20 are so enjoyable. Hopefully a balance can be found between the sheer exhilaration of the short games and the beauty and intricacies of the longer game.

[Mibbes Aye]

England look to have seriously rejigged if I’ve got this right.

Jennings in at first bat, Denly moving down to three (which is his county position I think). Foakes has been dropped altogether despite being fit, which means Bairstow drops down the order. Neither Root or Bairstow will be unhappy with that although whether it suits England is another matter.

Mark Wood replaces Sam Curran. Curran is an exceptional young talent but has been murdered on this tour. Wood offers height and pace but he hasn’t really done anything to date in his dozen or so Tests. His first-class figures are borderline decent but he is now on a pitch where if he can’t succeed it’s difficult to see where it goes for him.

To complicate matters, Curran may play if Stokes is ruled out. England have worked Stokes relentlessly on this tour and must have an eye to the World Cup and the Ashes. Given it is a dead rubber I wouldn’t blame them for protecting him.

For the Windies it looks like a hard, fast but fair pitch. Shannon Gabriel took 13 here I believe, which put him third in the best match results by a Windies bowler at home.

I’ve not been able to find the Windies team yet but essentially it is a question of who replaces Holder. As said previously, I would love to see Oshane Thomas completing the pace quartet but it sounds like it may be Keemo Paul who gets the nod, an even younger talent who is seen as an all-rounder.

Looking forward to it :agree:

[Mibbes Aye]

Stokes plays but as per previous, Jennings and Wood come in for Foakes and Curran with some rejigging in the batting order.

Windies have gone for the 20-year old all-rounder Keemo Paul rather than Oshane Thomas. It gives them more batting depth so it is more of a like-for-like replacement for Holder but I would have liked to have seen Oshane Thomas.

[Mibbes Aye]

England toiling at tea on day one, 114-4.

Roach has produced good movement into the batsmen, Paul has produced good movement away from the batsmen. I’ve been impressed with him though he has had a few wayward deliveries, which I’m putting down to nerves. Nevertheless at this rate England’s highest scorer might be Extras!

The big worry for England is that all three of their potential openers went cheaply and to be honest with poor execution. The Windies have got bounce and movement but it’s not been horrific yet.

[Mibbes Aye]

All about England after tea, totally dominant play from Stokes and Buttler with a 124-run partnership to move England onto 231-4.

The pair are both in the sixties and must be eyeing up centuries though I imagine they will face some tough early overs tomorrow.

Rob Key making an interesting point in analysis that while Denly and Burns didn’t get much in the way of runs they did soak up overs to a greater extent than had happened in the first two Tests, making it easier for the likes of Stokes and Buttler.

I think that’s a fair comment but the top three need to offer more than just take the shine off the ball when we get to the Ashes.

[Mibbes Aye]

Cracking day’s play yesterday in St Lucia. The Windies wrapped up the English innings before lunch, giving them a torrid time with some really aggressive bowling. After lunch the Windies opening pair motored along nicely until Moeen was brought in and snared both of them.

The best was yet to come for England however, with Mark Wood finally being introduced to the attack. He was so keen he fell over a few times after his deliveries but he was matching the pace of the fastest Windies bowlers and their batsmen couldn’t cope with it. Wood ended up with 5-41 overshadowing an excellent 4-36 from Moeen.

For the Windies Dowrich and Roach offered some resistance but it was nowhere near enough. The two highlights from play were both catches and worth looking for on YouTube or the Sky site - first one by Dowrich, second one by Broad. Different but both tremendous.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

England a man down first ball of the day.

[JeMeSouviens]

Cracking day’s play yesterday in St Lucia. The Windies wrapped up the English innings before lunch, giving them a torrid time with some really aggressive bowling. After lunch the Windies opening pair motored along nicely until Moeen was brought in and snared both of them.

The best was yet to come for England however, with Mark Wood finally being introduced to the attack. He was so keen he fell over a few times after his deliveries but he was matching the pace of the fastest Windies bowlers and their batsmen couldn’t cope with it. Wood ended up with 5-41 overshadowing an excellent 4-36 from Moeen.

For the Windies Dowrich and Roach offered some resistance but it was nowhere near enough. The two highlights from play were both catches and worth looking for on YouTube or the Sky site - first one by Dowrich, second one by Broad. Different but both tremendous.

:agree:

Clips on this page https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/11634134/stuart-broad-pulled-off-a-sensational-one-handed-catch-on-day-two-in-st-lucia

[Mibbes Aye]

Lunch on Day 3 and it is nearly impossible to see anything other than England ambling to a win and saving some face from this tour.

Critical moments in the morning session were Hetmyer droppings the simplest of catches off Gabriel’s bowling (he was not happy!!) and Keemo Paul having to be stretchered off with what looked a hamstring or a thigh strain after trying to run the ball down in the field.

Hetmyer’s catch would have been the end of Denly early on. As it is, he is now homing in on what will be a hugely confidence-boosting half-century. At the other end Joe Root has the chance to finally put runs on the board, which would be a great relief to him I imagine.

[JeMeSouviens]

Windies 10/2 chasing 485. It seems amazing how often positions can reverse from test match to test match between the same 2 sides, eg. Eng vs Pak last year. (I freely concede this is only my impression and may be bollocks :greengrin)

[Mibbes Aye]

Windies 10/2 chasing 485. It seems amazing how often positions can reverse from test match to test match between the same 2 sides, eg. Eng vs Pak last year. (I freely concede this is only my impression and may be bollocks :greengrin)

Nah, you’re right.

The difference in pitches can have a huge effect.

For this match, the Windies were without their captain, who is top of the ICC rankings for all-rounders.

They then lost his replacement in the bowling line-up to injury.

Meanwhile England brought in Mark Wood who had an immediate impact, which in retrospect maybe should have been before now. I had actually forgotten he was in the squad - I think he was a late replacement for someone else.

And I guess the batting finally clicked a bit for England, which was long overdue given their middle order strength, notwithstanding a fired-up Windies attack on hard wickets.

I’ve been a little disappointed in Shai Hope, but he has years ahead of him. I’ve really taken to Kemal Roach though - clever, nagging bowler with what appears to e a great attitude. Hetmyer is exciting and I look forward to seeing more of him and likewise the keeper Dowrich looks lively.

There’s a lot of youth in this Windies side so there is no shortage of potential. It would be good to see that translated into success - good for the Windies but good for Test cricket as well.

[Mibbes Aye]

So it's all over, England got the win they were always going to get after the earlier innings, credit to them for picking themselves back up after the first two Tests.

Lovely cricket at the end as Roston Chase closed in on a rather unexpected century. He was just short of it when Shannon Gabriel at the other end gave away his wicket. Keemo Paul, who was carrying a quadriceps strain that had kept him out the game since he did it earlier in the match hobbled out to bat with him as last man.

Paul couldn't run between the wickets so he had to hold down his end to let the ball go back onto Chase, which he did. That allowed Chase to hit the boundary that brought him his ton.

Not satisfied with that, Paul then faced a barrage from Stokes. Unable to run, he had to leave or go for it, and he hit three boundaries before miscuing and looping it back to Stokes, caught and bowled.

Stokes displayed a rather distasteful side to his character - having caught the ball and thus dismissed Paul, he viciously hurled it just past him at the stumps. Most bowlers would have just celebrated with their teammates.

[weecounty hibby]

Chris Gayle has hit four balls out of the ground!! Unbelievable batting. It's not real cricket like test matches though!!

[JeMeSouviens]

Chris Gayle has hit four balls out of the ground!! Unbelievable batting. It's not real cricket like test matches though!!

T20 has really given 50 over cricket a kick up the arse. Amazing things happening regularly.

[weecounty hibby]

They're all at it now. Bravo has just hit one over the stands as well. England are really toiling here

[JeMeSouviens]

They're all at it now. Bravo has just hit one over the stands as well. England are really toiling here

361 not a huge target these days. Game on.

[Mibbes Aye]

361 not a huge target these days. Game on.

Looking good so far.

A big century from the Universe Boss after a slow start. The total is decent and I’m not sure England have managed that sort of chase in the Caribbean before but this is an England who are rightly considered the strongest ODI side in the world and so far, the openers are scoring at speed. Roy, in particular, looking comfortable and when he is in form he tends to stay in and score big.

Good to see Oshane Thomas getting a bowl. He’s been hit for runs but it’s all good experience and he is bowling 140kph+ every time.

[JeMeSouviens]

Looking good so far.

A big century from the Universe Boss after a slow start. The total is decent and I’m not sure England have managed that sort of chase in the Caribbean before but this is an England who are rightly considered the strongest ODI side in the world and so far, the openers are scoring at speed. Roy, in particular, looking comfortable and when he is in form he tends to stay in and score big.

Good to see Oshane Thomas getting a bowl. He’s been hit for runs but it’s all good experience and he is bowling 140kph+ every time.

Roy’s hundred in 65 balls!

I was a bit blasé about the target. 361 would be the 5th highest successful 50 over chase and best ever by England. There are loads of higher totals but not winning 2nd innings.

Correction- 4th best.

[JeMeSouviens]

You’ve got to wonder if Roy is worth a test spot? Unconventional!

[Mibbes Aye]

You’ve got to wonder if Roy is worth a test spot? Unconventional!

He bats middle order for Surrey, so it would be experimental to have him as an opener, but it is hard to see where England go next in terms of top-three selection.

There's no space for him further down the order. I think if he has a good World Cup he is pushing for Ashes selection. A lot depends on how the county championship pans out but I have a sneaking suspicion Vince will be recalled to number three. Burns likely to keep his spot.

[Mibbes Aye]

Entertaining innings from the Windies in the second ODI, ending up 289-6 which doesn’t look too far off par for this pitch, though the England ODI team are so, so strong at bat.

Highlight was undoubtedly the 22 year-old Shimron Hetmyer. I mentioned him during the Test series and he came in to steady the ship for the Windies, knocking off 104 from 82 balls. He’s quite the talent and has a big future without a doubt.

England’s run chase should be fun and well within their capabilities though the pitch will offer something to the Windies. I’m in Glasgow and just about to head out for dinner however, so both the Hibs game and the England innings will be text updates only!

[Mibbes Aye]

So England collapsed in that manner that England have so often done in the Caribbean, though usually wearing Test whites rather than ODI pyjamas.

That shouldn’t overshadow the achievements of Sheldon Cottrell who blazed though the batting order with 5-46, aided and abetted by Jason Holder who took a creditable 3-53, including the crucial wickets of Stokes and Buttler. Something for Oshane Thomas as well, having Root caught just as he was settling in and steadying the ship after England’s early loss of their openers.

Could shape up to be a very decent series this.