England tail wags against Windies

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

NOTTINGHAM: England captain Andrew Strauss made 141 before Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad joined forces to give the hosts a first innings lead against the West Indies in the second Test here at Trent Bridge today.

At tea on third day, England were 428 all out in reply to West Indies’ 370 — a lead of 58 runs. It was far less of an advantage than England would have wanted on a good batting pitch but far more than looked likely when Strauss was out with his side still behind on 363-7.

West Indies, who bowled well, had to suffer a frustrating eighth-wicket partnership of 53 in 92 balls between Bresnan and Broad before the latter miscued a sweep against spinner Shane Shillingford and was caught for 25. Part-time spinner Marlon Samuels, who scored a century when West Indies batted, polished off the innings with two wickets for one run in nine balls. Bresnan was 39 not out.

Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul led the tourists’ attack with 3-75 in 32 balls. The West Indies took four wickets in first session before captain Darren Sammy dismissed Strauss for his second hundred in as many matches, following the opener’s 122 in a five-wicket first Test win at Lord’s that gave England a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.

Strauss was 102 not out and Kevin Pietersen 72 not out at the start of Sunday’s play. But Pietersen had added just eight when he was trapped LBW to Rampaul’s inswinger. Despite his challenge, Pietersen was out for 80, ending a third-wicket stand of 144.

The West Indies took the new ball as soon as possible with England 299-3 off 80 overs. And it brought rewards with Kemar Roach, who’d sent down eight no-balls Saturday, getting back into his stride with 2-6 in 16 balls to reduce England to 308-5.

Fourth delivery with the new ball, Roach had Ian Bell aiming across the line, LBW for 22 although the tourists had to challenge umpire Aleem Dar’s original not out verdict. Jonathan Bairstow, in his second Test, never looked comfortable against the short ball and, trying to turn a rising Roach delivery legside, got a leading edge to mid-on and was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.