West Indies pace tests England batsmen
This was the first day of the series that felt like a real contest. Having raced to 112-1 at lunch, England suddenly found themselves really struggling as Darren Sammy, on his debut, and Corey Collymore found the control that had eluded them in the opening session.
In the 26 overs bowled between lunch and tea, England managed to score only 55 runs while they lost four wickets. Unfortunately for the West Indies, they were unable to finish off the innings as Ian Bell and Matt Prior regained control.
I am not alone at being most surprised by the West Indies' selection. Old Trafford has become the fastest pitch in the country, and as we saw against Pakistan last year, the bounce can be both steepling and uneven. These are conditions that pace bowlers enjoy - and the taller they are, the better - so why the tourists preferred three medium-paced trundlers to Daren Powell, who is genuinely fast, is beyond me.
When Fidel Edwards let it go at full tilt, he was a real handful. Some deliveries flew alarmingly past the batsmen's noses - it was just like the West Indies of old - but there was no-one else at the other end to sustain the pressure. (I am very much looking forward to seeing Steve Harmison bowling on this)
Fredalo observers will have noted that Michael Vaughan was not booed by the Manchester public (he is one of them, after all) and Andrew Flintoff, who watched the day's play, told me that everything had been sorted out over lunch - and that Vaughan had picked up the cheque! Vaughan looked in good touch, reaching 40 before missing a straight drive.
Andrew Strauss remains a concern. It is worth remembering that his poor trot started with three rough decisions in Australia, but he is clearly out of touch at the moment. It is unlikely that he will lose his place at the moment, but with so many runs being scored around the country - and with Ravi Bopara, an all-rounder, in great form - Strauss badly needs a score.
We wondered how Matt Prior would bat when, for the first time in his brief career, he walked out to bat with his team in trouble at 166-5. We should also have known the answer: he played in his own free and natural way. And, until he was caught in the deep, Prior rescued the situation with Bell to the extent that England will still hope to get to 350 from here, which looks a decent total on this pitch.
Barely a mention for Ian Bell for his 77n.o. made when his team really needed it??
Complain about this postBang on the money Aggers, except that i wonder if 350 from here may be a little ambitious. I think the whole test could come down to Harmison's performance with the ball. If he can keep it straight and fast and let the pitch do the rest then we could knock them over for very few runs indeed (although this may require keeping the ball out of Plunkett's hands at the other end). If, however, Harmy starts firing them off into the slip cordon again it could be a very long day. I'm all for horses for courses and Sidebottom's selection at Headingly was a masterstroke, but i wonder if a bowler of this style is the best option in county cricket for a pitch like this. oh to have Simon Jones fit again...
Complain about this postmost intriguing day of the test series so far spoilt by yobish behaviour of crowd in area of entrance a2. took school party from football mad city for their first experience of top class cricket and felt it esential to leave early as they were in danger of learning that it is perfectly acceptable to drink all day, get drunk, hurl missiles at people,and then to hurl even more abuse along with further missiles at stewards who made feeble and uncoordinated attempts to intervene.
Complain about this postThis behaviour is unacceptable at any other sport and in any other place. Why is it acceptable at a cricket match?
You can't single out Steve who shattered one of the best middle order (Younis, Yousuf, Inzamam) last year on the same pitch. I think, if he could fire again then Windies will be unable to save the series.
Complain about this postStraus must be replaced by Trescothik who is doing the best in the county season.
If ever a pitch was tailor made for Steve Harmison, this is it. Let's hope he regains a bit of form.
Complain about this postI'd like to personally congratulate the West Indies Selectors for picking Fidel Edwards for this test, although his figures (15.0 overs 2 maidens 75 runs 1 wicket) are distinctly average he brought to thee side something that the West Indies have been missing for the past few years. Pace and Aggresion.
He had all of the english batsmen jumping around and lead the way for the other bowlers to use their line and length (although a little inconsistent) to get the wickes.
Well bowled Fidel, long may it continue!
Complain about this postI don't see why Strauss is keeping his place as opener when in reality his role has been reduced to keeping Tres' place warm until he is 'mentally ready' to come back to the team. Why not play a youngster (i.e. Bopara, Compton, Rashid? etc) and give them a taste for the future? Rashid could prove to be a shrewd choice, for imo he will be the one who has to eventually replace Flintoff as the batting all-rounder when Fred's body finally gives up on him.
Complain about this posthoggard in for plunkett next test and tresco in for strauss he couldnt buy a run
Complain about this postYou may laud Fidel but I feel his overs in the first hour may have cost the Windies the chance to win this game. The 64 or so runs in the first hour for just one wicket on a very helpful deck ensured that England would get a decent total on this wicket.
If it was Harmison being so profligate you would have slated him.
The Windies came back well, but in a game that is likely to be over in 3 days the action on the first morning will more than likely prove decisive
Complain about this postGood to see genuine pace from the West Indies again. I remember Brian Lara being extremely frustrated because he wanted Fidel Edwards in his team to give it some bite, but the selectors refused, giving him a pace attack around 80mph. Perhaps he was right all along.
Let's hope the Edwards/Powell partnership can at least come close to the heights Ambrose and Walsh, Marshall and Patterson, Holding and Roberts, Garner and Croft before them. That's a huge pedigree to live up to, but you can only be as high as you aim.
Complain about this postAgree with Dav. Ian Bell performed brilliantly in a pressure situation and was our top scorer, yet it was Prior who rescued the situation "with Bell".
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Prior fan and think he did a good job today, but give credit where it's due.
Otherwise, spot on, but maybe not enough emphasis on some poor batting.
Harmison should devour them on this pitch...but we'll have to wait and see.
Complain about this postyeh what a handful
Complain about this postI'd actually like to nominate David Gower as the man of the day for providing an utterly brilliant analysis of Strauss's batting woes right now. It's easy to overlook the fact that DG was captain of England, played for many years and scored many a Test run against some fine attacks when his usual contribution to the cricket is a cheeky smile and often some rather devilish socks. But today he provided a superb analysis that went on for some time and it was excellent. Well done sir. I hope Struass can sort the mental side out, he must be feeling a tad confused given that he's gone through an Ashes series, been discarded, came back halfway through a World Cup, called on to act as captain of England and now he's fighting for his place in the side. I'd keep on picking him and I suspect England will too.
The image of Sir Viv sleeping in his long johns was an interesting one to get today too...
It was great to see the West Indies going for it today. In the last Test, we had the sight of Jerome Taylor, the quickest bowler on offer for the Windies at Headingley, bowling distinctly half-paced swingers. Today we got pace from both ends. Sure, it was erratic at the start. But he and Edwards showed that it just takes one ball to end a batsmen's knock. All the bowlers chipped in today and they looked like a team in the afternoon sessions. The fielding is still a bit shambolic (he says hypocritically given that his own fielding was terrible) but there are signs there that the team spirit is getting there. A very good day's Test cricket, lots of twists and turns.
Complain about this postThe second session showed that the Windies are capable of competing in the test arena.
It could have been a different story if they'd got their selection right and chosen Darren Powell (I was mystified when I saw he wasn't in the team). England could have been facing a much stiffer test to wrap up the series, but thanks to Prior and Bell, we are in a decent position - but still with work to do.
Roll on the second innings and Harmison; the fourth innings and Monty...?
Complain about this postCan anyone clarify why Mark Ramprakash doesn't play for England anymore? Surely he should be in on form alone?
Complain about this postIn response to Bill Howarth, I would like to argue the other side of the coin as someone else sat in stand A. Today was my first day ever at a Test match (or indeed any international game), and - far from being the yobs he paints them out to be - the atmosphere and liveliness was much welcomed and good natured, even when the stewards tried to dismantle the various towers of plastic cups. As far as I'm (and my fellow attendeees are concerned), we had a fantastic day, due in part to the antics of the Barmy Army.
Complain about this postMichael Vaughan is from Sheffield!!!
[and yes, I know where he was born]
Complain about this postMark Ramprakash doesnt play for England because the board are now forward thinking and putting in a 36(ish?) year old batsmen will do the team no good in the future; as younger, promising batsmen would have to wait their turns. Plus Ramps never showed that he was truly international class. its all very well hitting centuries against county bowling attacks, of more inportance is the weight of runs you can get against world attacks.
Complain about this postRamprakash was never comfortable in the national side: he's found a wonderful niche so why would he move into the goldfish bowl which is international cricket?
I do feel that Strauss should go back to his county and get some rest - he looks exhausted all the time. He's never recovered since Trescothick left and it seems to me it's as much psychological as technical........ Bell was sent back to his county and look at the transformation of Shane Warne's bunny into a gritty fighter!
Complain about this postThe idea of Tresco returning to replace Strauss is ridiculous. Marcus Trescothik is a world class quality bat yes, but his decision to make himself unavailable at critical times have rendered his return to the team nul and void, surely? And sadly that might be the case for good.
Complain about this postI would sooner suggest a return for Mark Ramps.
But I advocate we stick with Strauss. He is in a terrible rut, but his qualities will eventually come good, I remain (almost) certain. Although I concede that Ravi B is knocking ever harder on that door.
Meanwhile, a word for Alistair Cook, who continues what will be a very long and very record breaking test career..he is the best young player I have seen since David Gower. A Rolls Royce.
Granted the West Indies team played better today than earlier. But it is just too early to predict a keen contest.
Now I fail to understand the shrill calls for recalling Ramprakash and Trescothick. The former is too old and failed miserably in the arena of test cricket inspite of fifty plus opportunities. As for the latter, he has failed too inspite of being a fine batsman. What happened to him in Australia? Mental disintegration? Has he rehabilitated himself so quickly?
Complain about this postvaughan was booed by the way!
Complain about this postNo, Strauss will not lose his place at present - he is untouchable. How else can you explain why he was captain last time out. Lord Brockett of Lord's - not Lord Bopara of Chingford
Complain about this postif we get 350 then well bowl them for 220 harmy 5 wicket monty 3 sidebtoom 2 but at least the windeis gave us a real fight and credit to ian bell but PAUL COLINGWOODS LAST 3 ININGS HE HAS SCORED 34 29 10 73 RUNS AT 24 AND WHEN HE GOT HIS 111 HE WAS DROPPED ABOUT 600 TIMES
THE ONE DAY SIDE SHOULD BE
STRAUSS
COOK
PRIOR
KP
COLLY
BELL
FLINTOFF
YARDY
SIDEBOTOM
PANESAR
ANDERSON
WE NED PRIOR 3 AND YARDY WAS GREAT WHEN HE PLAYED
Complain about this postcome on straussy. we all know your one of the best players around. get stuck in, forget about the fairbrother clique and play your outstandingly-good natural game.
top stuff from bell. i do wish they would try him opening the innings with cook, with strauss dropping down to 3...
please don't bring banger back - he's had a go. (and for what it's worth, i think it's ridiculous that he's still on a central contract all these many months later). please don't bring hick or ramprakash etc back either.
Complain about this postnick england - strauss's untouchable because when he's good, he's better than almost anyone. form is temporary, quality is permanent.
bopara's very good but not a replacement for strauss - - - collingwood, eventually, maybe...
Complain about this postian bell absolute class act. i feel that liam plunket needs to take a step aside and let bopara in. for he struglling with his bowling and batting is no better than par. sick with strauss he will come good mark my words.
Complain about this postStrauss must be close to playing for his place in the Test Team when was the last time he made a Ton for England in a test match. He was terrible in the Ashes and he has been terrible here. Robert Key is playing well at the moment and I believe he should be picked for the next test. He was unlucky to be dropped from the team in the first place. Strauss had a worse run than Key did and he still in team. So people mentioning Collingwood not getting any runs look at Strauss. All the other batters have contributed against the poor bowling. Im afraid if your not scoring runs then it dont matter how good you are you should get dropped. The aussies would not keep Strauss in he would be out. For example look at Simon Katich he was dropped as quick as a flash from there team. Still aint got the ruthless attitude for me you can have a good team but if you aint gonna be cruel to be kind we wont get nowhere. We are saying lets pick young players for the future. Im afraid you dont play any sport in the future it is played now. Time and time again lets look at the Australians take an example from them. If your old enough your good enough. Ramprakash wont get a game because he is to old. Yet Australia have a team with at least 6 players who are in there thirties. The selection policy is still to kind going down the same road all the time. I dare not drop him etc. We must stop worrying about the future and play for now. Look at the England football team a prime example David Beckham dropped from the team because he was not for the future. We tried younger players and they were not up to it. Beckham comes back into the team and it is all Beckham getting the plaudits. The same problem is happening with England at cricket you wont replace class no matter how old they are. Lets play for now Guys. I wonder if the likes of Darren Gough, Dominic Cork, Mark Ramprakash could still do a better job still for England. Unfortunately the way we are going these great cricketeers are put out to pasture and we never see them again will we ? who knows a dont think so.
As always behind my country come on England put it up them.
Complain about this postWith rain on the horizon, one has to consider a possible draw as the outcome of this otherwise intriguing match. By the way Aggers, any chance of spotting you in your home town (Macclesfield) this trip?
Complain about this postI agree with Aggers that Powell should have played I would have played him instead of Collymore - Sammy provides the steady medium with a bating option and could be partnerd by Bravo or Gayle.
In terms of the English batting. Strauss I am afraid needs to go and get some runs. Who do you pick? well I think one option is to put Vaughan in to open with Cook and Bell at 3. As he continually shows he is too good for 6 - I hope that this is not highlighted today by him running out of partners before he gets a ton. I would then pick Owais Shah at 6 and give him a run with it. I think it was unfair to ask him to come in for one test at 3.
In terms of the furture I think that Peter Moores and Tresco need to decide what will happen. I think that Tresco is probably the only batsman who could challenge KP for supremacy in the team. I think too much has been made by the public about his mental problems - if he's happy then we must give him the chance.
If no Tresco then for the ODIs I would definatly consider bringing Mal Loye back for an agressive opener and would probably keep Cook - class batsmen can score runs in both forms of the game.
Complain about this postBravo to Bell - no. 6 seems to be his favoured position in the order. Now all that needs to happen is for Vaughan and/or Strauss to bat lower down too!
Has anyone else noticed the trend of a lot of England players to make starts to their careers of big impacts (Strauss, Key, Bell, Harmison, Anderson, Geraint Jones) - and then lose their lustre after a spell with the England set-up? Watch out Messrs Cook & Prior!
I am a fan of Andy Strauss, but Peter Moores will need to figure out what's the better tactic to rebuild his confidence & batting skill - sticking with him in the England team seems not to be fruitful; but letting him play for middlesex will either force him to up his game, like Beckham, or just send him further into the dumps.
Perhaps captaining England A for a while might be his best option?
Complain about this postIt was nice to see Fidel Edwards running in at bowling hard and fast, it was a long time coming and although his figures dont look great I think he gave him team a massive boost which is good as far as a competitive test match goes. I watch Sussex reguarly and Matt Prior will always take the attack to the bowlers and it came as no surprise he came in and helped England out of a sticky spot and we should push on for 350 now.
Complain about this postIs it me or does the engaland batting order 1- 7 with Trescothick instead of Strauss at 1 now looking pretty strong and ready for the Indians later in the summer.
1. M. Trescothick
Complain about this post2. A. Cook
3. M. Vaughan
4. K.P Pietersen
5. P D Collingwood
6. I Bell
7. M J Prior
I notice that these days fielding players sometimes carry a towel in their back pocket.
In the event of a towel falling from the pocket and interfering with the passage of the ball, can you tell me what penalty would be awarded to the batting side? Maybe it is the same as for the helmet rule.
thankyou
kevin smyth
Complain about this postMore interesting than the previous two. WIndies held their catches so suggest improved fielding was part of it.
Complain about this postWhereas the spectacle of a very fast bowler seeking to intimidate the batsmen seems to excite some, I'm not a great fan of it myself. In this case I don't think it was that great a success. Edward's direct contribution was to be less economical than anyone else, get rid of a number 8 batsman (Plunkett) and hit Harmison on the helmet.
thanks for writing the west indies off. I hope they read this and cause all of you to recognise that cricket is a game tfilled with glorious uncertainities. I guess we could see it in this test. Lookinmg forward to five days of cricket. I guess they should have goen for samuels. If Samuels choses to he could be quite a handful. He is not there but we have the talent to ensure we put up a great fight.
Complain about this postI am beginning to get slightly annoyed that Ian Bell never gets the credit he deserves for England. Throughout his whole international career people have been putting him down and saying he is not good enough. It all seems to go back to The 2005 ashes where I am sure he will agree he did not do well enough. But since returning to the test team at the start of last summer he has been one of englands most consistant performers. He has scored decent runs in all of the series since and was one of the better players at the world cup, though again nort as good as he may have hoped. it always seems to me that as he doesn't have the exhuberant character or batting style of people like Pietersen and Prior that he is often overlooked for the contribution he makes. One again, Aggers above seems to put the main act of recovery down to Prior and adds Bell as what seems to be an afterthought. He also seems to be top of most people's list to be dropped when Flintoff and possibly Trescothick return which does not seem fair to the way he is playing. It is about time Ian Bell got the credit he deserves and people recognise that he is an integral part of the team and derserves to be for many years yet.
Complain about this postBell batted extremely well for me dug in when it was necessary, maybe more of a mention for him. moment of the day in my opinion was when KP was caught at deep square leg, another score seemed certain
Complain about this postbang on the money aggers excellent stuff
Three medium pacers? I'm not sure they should've dropped Powell but their two quickest bowlers are surely Taylor and Edwards who are both playing. At least, this is what I have been led to believe. They seem to have a little more variety than usual and it was the slower bowling of Collymore and Sammy which seemed to tie England up. Aggers? I have to say that I didn't see much of the play yesterday.
Complain about this postA couple of point which are pet bugbears of mine:
1. Enough of this "first competitive day of the series" stuff. Everyone is overlooking the final day at Lords which was rained off. Although everyone is assuming England would have rolled teh Windies over, it had all the indications of being like last year against Sri Lanka. Then, the pitch got slower and friendlier, Sri Lanka got 500 second time round, and Harmy and Freddie bowled themselves into the ground. To me that was the beginning of Freddie's fitness problems, and Harmy's form problems - and neither has really ever recovered since.
2. When the selectors (or we) consider potential replacements for Strauss or some of the bowlers, (a) can we remember the pitches they are playing on and (b) the division they are playing in. Trescothick scoring centuries against Leicestershire at Taunton does not really count for much. Same as picking Sidebottom from secon division Notts, or even Ramprakash, Butcher or any of the Surrey batsmen who get to play on the Oval pitch.
Complain about this postCook is by no sense of the imagination a one-day opener. Bring back Tres, as he is a truely world class one-day batsmen and have him open with Vaughn, England need him as captain. Prior is a good shout for 3, but i'd definately have Bopara in over Yardy and not too sure over the role of Panesar in the one-day team.
Complain about this postI agree with the comments that if Strauss fails ago, then Vaughan and Cooke should open next, Strauss 12th man, Bell at No3, Bopara at No6 between Collingwood and Prior.
Strauss is playing too square, not straight enough.
Complain about this postCan we expect DJ Sammy to play a few tunes at lunch
Complain about this postCorridor cricket! Used to play version where you had to remain seated (they had wheels so mobility not a problem!) & used the roller out of an envelope licker thingamybob as a bat. Traditionally played when we were on weekend overtime for stocktaking. Company went bust, but like to think it wasn't cricket related.
Complain about this postRegarding the bowlers practicing on the square incident before the final session today. I remember Aggers playing blue murder in Neath in the late 1980s when Dickie Bird quite correctly kicked him off the square for practicing on it. Peter Willey said something dreadfully rude about his bleating. Now twenty years later he's still at it.....
Complain about this postRegarding the bowlers practicing on the square incident before the final session today. I remember Aggers playing blue murder in Neath in the late 1980s when Dickie Bird quite correctly kicked him off the square for practicing on it. Peter Willey said something dreadfully rude about his bleating. Now twenty years later he's still at it.....
Complain about this postAs others have pointed out, there is a place at the head of the table but the prince is engaged elsewhere ~ Tresco, Tresco, wherefore art thou, Tresco?
Fredalo should be asked to do what Tresco has done ~ cut the mustard seriously in the county game. Both are world class players. In form, you'd be nuts to leave them out. Are there nutters on the selection panel? The next Test will reveal all.
The other thing is that Strauss is A.grade. He should be given a chance to come back from the dead, allowing that the opponents are B.grade and this is an ideal opportunity to get him back up to speed. With Tresco at the other end, it may well all come good again. Forza TMS!
Complain about this posti think both team are good , england however has a more better batting side & more determination to win.
Complain about this post