England in the West Indies

[An Tarbh]

Benn well and truly duped Prior with that shot. Prior played well for his 64 but unfortunately England needed more and again this comes back to Pietersen losing the plot again.

 

[An Tarbh]

England 311-8 at lunch on day 2. The partnership between Sidebottom and Harmison has gotten England over 300 and to what is just about a par first innings score on this wicket. If they could push on to 350 England could find themselves in charge of this test match.

 

[An Tarbh]

Harmison gone after referring the call, there's plenty of umpires who won't give an lbw for clipping the outside of off stump but Koertzen gave it.

 

[An Tarbh]

close call again but just about right from the umpire, obviously you're gonna refer it if you've 1 left with 9 wickets down.

England all out for 318, adding sod all after lunch.

Right now onto the Windies innings and lets see if England can bowl better than they did in the warm up.

 

[An Tarbh]

now to me that looks more out than the 2 previous calls we've had today. Pitched in line and is going on to hit middle and leg and it's been given out.

WI 18-1

 

[An Tarbh]

that one looked to be going over the top, looks like it will be reversed and is. Reprieve for Sarwan given the hawk eye we saw after.

 

[An Tarbh]

West Indies 63-1 at tea, slightly fortunate with the referrals, proof that the system still needs some looking at especially given the Sarwan one.

Broad unlucky not to pick up a wicket, he gave the ones at the end of the England innings so why wasn't that good enough?

 

[An Tarbh]

Bob Willis ripping into Harper and rightly so, he made an absolute balls of that call and as Willis said made Hill look like a complete idiot, even though Hawkeye proves he got the initial call correct.

 

[An Tarbh]

very much the West Indies final session, no wicket for England and Sarwan taking advantage nicely ending the day 74 not out with Gayle 71 not out. If those 2 stay together they'll build a big lead tomorrow.

 

[An Tarbh]

for such a straightforward reversal it's taking an awful long time. It was clearly not out, if decisons are gonna take this long then this referral system won't work.

 

[An Tarbh]

Broad finally makes the breakthrough for England but not before Gayle had gotten to 3 figures, great innings, some quality hitting as well.

 

[An Tarbh]

Marshall gone for a 2 ball duck, Broad gets him lbw, good little spell this for England, don't think Chanderpaul will go so cheaply though. Nervy little period just before lunch this.

 

[An Tarbh]

Sarwan also goes to his century and at lunch on day 3 West Indies are 224-3. Could be a long afternoon for England if both Chanderpaul and Sarwan hang about. Again though the over rate is atrocious.

 

[An Tarbh]

England's referrals now gone, always looked to be go over the top, not sure why they referred that one.

 

[An Tarbh]

Big wicket for Flintoff, not the prized one of Chanderpaul but they'll be glad to see the back of Sarwan who has played beautifully in this innings.

 

[An Tarbh]

they shouldn't reverse that but then they did yesterday with Sarwan. Right decision in terms of the process and clipping off stump. Good call and huge wicket for England getting Chanderpaul.

 

[An Tarbh]

Monty finally picks up a wicket but more importantly breaks the partnership between Ramdin and Nash.

 

[An Tarbh]

West Indies 352-7 at the close of day 3. Not a huge lead but a chance to build on that in the morning.

Given the weather that's forecast for the weekend we could be heading for a draw.

 

[An Tarbh]

Quick wickets will be what's required from the Windies in the England second innings, don't want to be chasing too much on this pitch.

 

[An Tarbh]

well it's going to plan for the Windies with England at 15-3. At this rate they might not even need to bat again, there's history at this venue of low scores, despite the difference in the pitch from 2004.