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| West Indies v England: second Test, day one – as it happened | West Indies v England: second Test, day one – as it happened |
| (less than a minute earlier) | |
| 10.52pm BST22:52 | 10.52pm BST22:52 |
| Honours probably approximately even. England will certainly have hoped for better, and had Cook held on to his chance at slip with Samuels in his 30s everything might have been very different. But then, he didn’t. Tomorrow’s play will start 15 minutes early, at 2.45pm BST, and we’ll be back with live coverage from two at the very latest. Thanks for sharing the last few hours with me. Bye! | Honours probably approximately even. England will certainly have hoped for better, and had Cook held on to his chance at slip with Samuels in his 30s everything might have been very different. But then, he didn’t. Tomorrow’s play will start 15 minutes early, at 2.45pm BST, and we’ll be back with live coverage from two at the very latest. Thanks for sharing the last few hours with me. Bye! |
| West Indies close on 188 for five, a better position than they ought to have. Samuels fine 94 not out. | West Indies close on 188 for five, a better position than they ought to have. Samuels fine 94 not out. |
| Updated at 10.55pm BST | Updated at 10.55pm BST |
| 10.49pm BST22:49 | 10.49pm BST22:49 |
| STUMPS | STUMPS |
| And that is the end of the day. Almost certainly (the umpires are still in the middle, but the covers are coming on so they’re going to have to move soon). | And that is the end of the day. Almost certainly (the umpires are still in the middle, but the covers are coming on so they’re going to have to move soon). |
| 10.47pm BST22:47 | 10.47pm BST22:47 |
| 70th over: West Indies 188-5 (Samuels 94, Ramdin 6) | 70th over: West Indies 188-5 (Samuels 94, Ramdin 6) |
| Ali bowls short, and Samuels thumps it to backward square leg for four. And at the end of the over, the fielders and one batsman leave the field. The umpires and the other batsman stay in the middle. | Ali bowls short, and Samuels thumps it to backward square leg for four. And at the end of the over, the fielders and one batsman leave the field. The umpires and the other batsman stay in the middle. |
| Updated at 10.59pm BST | Updated at 10.59pm BST |
| 10.44pm BST22:44 | 10.44pm BST22:44 |
| 69th over: West Indies 184-5 (Samuels 89, Ramdin 5) | 69th over: West Indies 184-5 (Samuels 89, Ramdin 5) |
| Jonathan Trott does some bowling, for the first time (in Tests, anyway) since he bowled Brad Haddin at the Oval in 2013. He concedes two singles, the second of which is the 400th off his bowling in Test cricket. After which, the light meter comes out. We’re supposed to be getting 10 more overs today, but it seems unlikely. Steve Davis announces that it’s spin only from now on. | Jonathan Trott does some bowling, for the first time (in Tests, anyway) since he bowled Brad Haddin at the Oval in 2013. He concedes two singles, the second of which is the 400th off his bowling in Test cricket. After which, the light meter comes out. We’re supposed to be getting 10 more overs today, but it seems unlikely. Steve Davis announces that it’s spin only from now on. |
| 10.40pm BST22:40 | 10.40pm BST22:40 |
| 68th over: West Indies 182-5 (Samuels 89, Ramdin 5) | 68th over: West Indies 182-5 (Samuels 89, Ramdin 5) |
| Stokes bowls, and yields two singles, with the light rapidly fading (though it’s hard to tell on the telly, what with all those clever buttons they’ve got). “Two of the great things about Eddie Hemmings were, first, he allowed commentators to boast of an entire team who had scored first-class centuries (maybe even Test centuries) following his improbable innings as a night watchman against Australia, and, second, he offered hope to the Timothy Spalls of this world that even they might achieve sporting immortality,” writes John Starbuck. Great things indeed. | Stokes bowls, and yields two singles, with the light rapidly fading (though it’s hard to tell on the telly, what with all those clever buttons they’ve got). “Two of the great things about Eddie Hemmings were, first, he allowed commentators to boast of an entire team who had scored first-class centuries (maybe even Test centuries) following his improbable innings as a night watchman against Australia, and, second, he offered hope to the Timothy Spalls of this world that even they might achieve sporting immortality,” writes John Starbuck. Great things indeed. |
| 10.36pm BST22:36 | 10.36pm BST22:36 |
| 67th over: West Indies 180-5 (Samuels 88, Ramdin 4) | 67th over: West Indies 180-5 (Samuels 88, Ramdin 4) |
| Ramdin, who sends the ball spinning over short leg, but it lands safe and didn’t, in the end, come off his bat anyway. Moments later, Samuels thunders the ball through cover for four. | Ramdin, who sends the ball spinning over short leg, but it lands safe and didn’t, in the end, come off his bat anyway. Moments later, Samuels thunders the ball through cover for four. |
| 10.32pm BST22:32 | 10.32pm BST22:32 |
| 66th over: West Indies 174-5 (Samuels 83, Ramdin 4) | 66th over: West Indies 174-5 (Samuels 83, Ramdin 4) |
| “I love watching Kapil Dev’s four sixes,” writes John Culley, as Stokes works through another maiden, “partly because it was eventually a great England win (not Englands best era), but also for bowler Eddie Hemmings’ body language. With his ‘tash and quirky delivery he looks like Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army as a scheme falls apart. A very fine cricketer though, 1500 first class wickets and playing for England when over 40.” Always liked Eddie Hemmings, though I honestly can’t remember if it was the tache or the cricket that won be over. | “I love watching Kapil Dev’s four sixes,” writes John Culley, as Stokes works through another maiden, “partly because it was eventually a great England win (not Englands best era), but also for bowler Eddie Hemmings’ body language. With his ‘tash and quirky delivery he looks like Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army as a scheme falls apart. A very fine cricketer though, 1500 first class wickets and playing for England when over 40.” Always liked Eddie Hemmings, though I honestly can’t remember if it was the tache or the cricket that won be over. |
| 10.28pm BST22:28 | 10.28pm BST22:28 |
| 65th over: West Indies 174-5 (Samuels 83, Ramdin 4) | 65th over: West Indies 174-5 (Samuels 83, Ramdin 4) |
| Ali bowls, Samuels grabs a single. Chris Bourne, John Starbuck, Bob Wolstenholme and Rupert Bates are all among those to nominate Garfield Sobers … | Ali bowls, Samuels grabs a single. Chris Bourne, John Starbuck, Bob Wolstenholme and Rupert Bates are all among those to nominate Garfield Sobers … |
| 10.26pm BST22:26 | 10.26pm BST22:26 |
| 64th over: West Indies 173-5 (Samuels 82, Ramdin 4) | 64th over: West Indies 173-5 (Samuels 82, Ramdin 4) |
| The first maiden for a little while, bowled by the still impressive Stokes. “For England cricket fans of a certain vintage it has to be David Gower nicking off to slip after another lazy waft to a ball outside off,” suggests Stewart Graham. “More famous even than his sublime cover drive.”I suppose there’s also the Gatting reverse sweep, for fans of a similar vintage. | The first maiden for a little while, bowled by the still impressive Stokes. “For England cricket fans of a certain vintage it has to be David Gower nicking off to slip after another lazy waft to a ball outside off,” suggests Stewart Graham. “More famous even than his sublime cover drive.”I suppose there’s also the Gatting reverse sweep, for fans of a similar vintage. |
| 10.21pm BST22:21 | 10.21pm BST22:21 |
| 63rd over: West Indies 173-5 (Samuels 82, Ramdin 4) | 63rd over: West Indies 173-5 (Samuels 82, Ramdin 4) |
| Mighty Mo comes on, and his first delivery befuddles Ramdin, who misses the ball but his swish at it distracts Buttler to such an extend that he does too, and the bowler’s take a leg bye. This brings Samuels onto strike, and he swiftly cracks a fine shot through midwicket, and then steps back to send another past point, both reaching the rope. | Mighty Mo comes on, and his first delivery befuddles Ramdin, who misses the ball but his swish at it distracts Buttler to such an extend that he does too, and the bowler’s take a leg bye. This brings Samuels onto strike, and he swiftly cracks a fine shot through midwicket, and then steps back to send another past point, both reaching the rope. |
| 10.18pm BST22:18 | 10.18pm BST22:18 |
| 62nd over: West Indies 164-5 (Samuels 74, Ramdin 4) | 62nd over: West Indies 164-5 (Samuels 74, Ramdin 4) |
| Samuels gets four runs, in two instalments, the last couple after Stokes fields a shot, spins and throws at the stumps at the batsman’s end, missing and donating a couple of overthrows. Stokes and Samuels don’t seem to be particularly pally. | Samuels gets four runs, in two instalments, the last couple after Stokes fields a shot, spins and throws at the stumps at the batsman’s end, missing and donating a couple of overthrows. Stokes and Samuels don’t seem to be particularly pally. |
| Any of Sir Viv's exaggerated forward defensives. Arrogant beyond belief! Just as bad/worse for the bowler as being smashed! @Simon_Burnton | Any of Sir Viv's exaggerated forward defensives. Arrogant beyond belief! Just as bad/worse for the bowler as being smashed! @Simon_Burnton |
| Updated at 10.41pm BST | Updated at 10.41pm BST |
| 10.13pm BST22:13 | 10.13pm BST22:13 |
| 61st over: West Indies 160-5 (Samuels 70, Ramdin 4) | 61st over: West Indies 160-5 (Samuels 70, Ramdin 4) |
| Ramdin came in during the 54th over and scored his first run in the 61st, but he only faced 11 balls in that time, so efficiently was Samuels hogging the limelight. Anyway, he gets a chance to shine and thumps Broad down the ground for four. That’s the scoring done, for this over, Broad continuing to bowl too short too often. | Ramdin came in during the 54th over and scored his first run in the 61st, but he only faced 11 balls in that time, so efficiently was Samuels hogging the limelight. Anyway, he gets a chance to shine and thumps Broad down the ground for four. That’s the scoring done, for this over, Broad continuing to bowl too short too often. |
| 10.09pm BST22:09 | 10.09pm BST22:09 |
| 60th over: West Indies 156-5 (Samuels 70, Ramdin 0) | 60th over: West Indies 156-5 (Samuels 70, Ramdin 0) |
| The runs are flowing now. Stokes’ first delivery is dealt with much as the first ball of the previous over, in that it’s cracked away for four. A couple of balls (and runs) later he gets one to swing into Samuels’ pads, prompting a hearty appeal from behind the wicket. The bowler, though, was silent, and the umpire likewise, with the ball heading down leg side. And then the final delivery is edged wide of Root at gully and away for four. Samuels has scored 21 runs off the last two overs, but it’s been wild stuff, and from any given delivery he’s as likely to get out as he is to find the boundary. | The runs are flowing now. Stokes’ first delivery is dealt with much as the first ball of the previous over, in that it’s cracked away for four. A couple of balls (and runs) later he gets one to swing into Samuels’ pads, prompting a hearty appeal from behind the wicket. The bowler, though, was silent, and the umpire likewise, with the ball heading down leg side. And then the final delivery is edged wide of Root at gully and away for four. Samuels has scored 21 runs off the last two overs, but it’s been wild stuff, and from any given delivery he’s as likely to get out as he is to find the boundary. |
| “This is of course an unanswerable question,” laments Adam Roberts, “as it will very much depend on which country the person being asked is from, how old that person is and when he or she started watching. It also depends very much on prejudices and favourites. Quite often it is a series of shots as your posted clip of Sir Iron Bottom demonstrates. For me it is probably Kapil saving the follow-on with four sixes.” | “This is of course an unanswerable question,” laments Adam Roberts, “as it will very much depend on which country the person being asked is from, how old that person is and when he or she started watching. It also depends very much on prejudices and favourites. Quite often it is a series of shots as your posted clip of Sir Iron Bottom demonstrates. For me it is probably Kapil saving the follow-on with four sixes.” |
| Updated at 10.12pm BST | Updated at 10.12pm BST |
| 10.04pm BST22:04 | 10.04pm BST22:04 |
| 59th over: West Indies 146-5 (Samuels 60, Ramdin 0) | 59th over: West Indies 146-5 (Samuels 60, Ramdin 0) |
| Samuels hits Broad’s first ball down the ground for four to complete his half-century. He celebrates with a wild swish at the ball a moment later, without moving his feet, which got nowhere near the ball. Real trash, that was. And he celebrates that by hitting through the covers for four. Eleven runs from the over. | Samuels hits Broad’s first ball down the ground for four to complete his half-century. He celebrates with a wild swish at the ball a moment later, without moving his feet, which got nowhere near the ball. Real trash, that was. And he celebrates that by hitting through the covers for four. Eleven runs from the over. |
| @1980sSportsBlog @Simon_Burnton There's Gilly's "Yah!" at 3.28 https://t.co/c6LSd9NnVN. Batting's equivalent of the Ball of the Century. | @1980sSportsBlog @Simon_Burnton There's Gilly's "Yah!" at 3.28 https://t.co/c6LSd9NnVN. Batting's equivalent of the Ball of the Century. |
| Updated at 10.45pm BST | Updated at 10.45pm BST |
| 9.58pm BST21:58 | 9.58pm BST21:58 |
| 58th over: West Indies 135-5 (Samuels 49, Ramdin 0) | 58th over: West Indies 135-5 (Samuels 49, Ramdin 0) |
| Jordan continues, and there’s still a bit of movement to be had. Not that Samuels is worried: he defends or leaves the first four, and then thrashes a wide one away for four. | Jordan continues, and there’s still a bit of movement to be had. Not that Samuels is worried: he defends or leaves the first four, and then thrashes a wide one away for four. |
| 9.51pm BST21:51 | 9.51pm BST21:51 |
| 57th over: West Indies 130-5 (Samuels 44, Ramdin 0) | 57th over: West Indies 130-5 (Samuels 44, Ramdin 0) |
| England have spent quite a lot of this session with two gullies in place, but neither of them have anything to do here, as Broad bowls a maiden to Ramdin before the players take drinks. Two nominations for this in the space of three minutes probably can’t be ignored. You can read all about it here. | England have spent quite a lot of this session with two gullies in place, but neither of them have anything to do here, as Broad bowls a maiden to Ramdin before the players take drinks. Two nominations for this in the space of three minutes probably can’t be ignored. You can read all about it here. |
| @Simon_Burnton Slater's first ball of the ashes four at Brisbane. Just topping that makes me shudder | @Simon_Burnton Slater's first ball of the ashes four at Brisbane. Just topping that makes me shudder |
| @Simon_Burnton The first ball of the 1994 Ashes series: DeFreitas to Slater, 4 runs. Changed test match batting (& broke my heart)... | @Simon_Burnton The first ball of the 1994 Ashes series: DeFreitas to Slater, 4 runs. Changed test match batting (& broke my heart)... |
| 9.47pm BST21:47 | 9.47pm BST21:47 |
| 56th over: West Indies 130-5 (Samuels 44, Ramdin 0) | 56th over: West Indies 130-5 (Samuels 44, Ramdin 0) |
| Maiden over. “Evening Simon,” writes Simon McMahon. Evening. “I don’t wish to be a pedant but by ‘famous’ do we mean ‘well-known’ or ‘best’? If it’s the former then it has to be the forward defensive, even non cricket lovers know that one. If it’s the latter then Botham’s six at Headingley – straight into the confectionary stall and out again – must be pretty close.” | Maiden over. “Evening Simon,” writes Simon McMahon. Evening. “I don’t wish to be a pedant but by ‘famous’ do we mean ‘well-known’ or ‘best’? If it’s the former then it has to be the forward defensive, even non cricket lovers know that one. If it’s the latter then Botham’s six at Headingley – straight into the confectionary stall and out again – must be pretty close.” |
| 9.42pm BST21:42 | 9.42pm BST21:42 |
| 55th over: West Indies 130-5 (Samuels 44, Ramdin 0) | 55th over: West Indies 130-5 (Samuels 44, Ramdin 0) |
| Samuels tries to punish Broad’s first delivery, but doesn’t move his feet at all, mishits the ball and, while it went straight into the ground and was perfectly safe, he did look a bit of a chump. “I think you’re going about this best shot thing the wrong way round,” writes Robin Hazlehurst. “Surely you should choose your favourite shot and then take the greatest exponent of it. So decide that the cover drive is the best shot, then pick Ian Bell, or the hook and Viv Richards, or the forward defensive and, er, Chris Tavare. So who is the greatest exponent of every England test fan’s favourite shot, the nurdle to fine leg?” | Samuels tries to punish Broad’s first delivery, but doesn’t move his feet at all, mishits the ball and, while it went straight into the ground and was perfectly safe, he did look a bit of a chump. “I think you’re going about this best shot thing the wrong way round,” writes Robin Hazlehurst. “Surely you should choose your favourite shot and then take the greatest exponent of it. So decide that the cover drive is the best shot, then pick Ian Bell, or the hook and Viv Richards, or the forward defensive and, er, Chris Tavare. So who is the greatest exponent of every England test fan’s favourite shot, the nurdle to fine leg?” |
| Updated at 9.47pm BST | Updated at 9.47pm BST |
| 9.38pm BST21:38 | 9.38pm BST21:38 |
| 54th over: West Indies 129-5 (Samuels 43, Ramdin 0) | 54th over: West Indies 129-5 (Samuels 43, Ramdin 0) |
| The wicket falls from the fifth delivery, and the sixth is more than decent, Ramdin doing well to leave it well alone. | The wicket falls from the fifth delivery, and the sixth is more than decent, Ramdin doing well to leave it well alone. |
| @Simon_Burnton Will Broad be forcing Broad to apologise to Broad for that missed catch? | @Simon_Burnton Will Broad be forcing Broad to apologise to Broad for that missed catch? |
| 9.37pm BST21:37 | 9.37pm BST21:37 |
| WICKET! Blackwood lbw b Jordan 26 (West Indies 129-5) | WICKET! Blackwood lbw b Jordan 26 (West Indies 129-5) |
| And he was! It’s close, though, Hawkeye suggesting the ball would have struck the top of off stump, but half an inch higher or wider and it would have been umpire’s call. Anyway, it wasn’t. | And he was! It’s close, though, Hawkeye suggesting the ball would have struck the top of off stump, but half an inch higher or wider and it would have been umpire’s call. Anyway, it wasn’t. |
| Blackwood is out for 26, lbw to Jordan. WI 129-5. Watch live on SS2 or follow via: http://t.co/gDAcwH7T5E pic.twitter.com/7o9VIgECLO | Blackwood is out for 26, lbw to Jordan. WI 129-5. Watch live on SS2 or follow via: http://t.co/gDAcwH7T5E pic.twitter.com/7o9VIgECLO |
| Updated at 9.42pm BST | Updated at 9.42pm BST |
| 9.34pm BST21:34 | 9.34pm BST21:34 |
| REVIEW! Is Blackwood out here? | REVIEW! Is Blackwood out here? |
| He’s been struck on the pads, sure enough. The umpire was not convinced, but England think he was wrong. | He’s been struck on the pads, sure enough. The umpire was not convinced, but England think he was wrong. |
| Updated at 10.26pm BST | Updated at 10.26pm BST |
| 9.32pm BST21:32 | 9.32pm BST21:32 |
| 53rd over: West Indies 126-4 (Blackwood 24, Samuels 42) | 53rd over: West Indies 126-4 (Blackwood 24, Samuels 42) |
| Broad bowls, and Blackwood survives two moments of danger: there’s another edge, but this one doesn’t carry to Root at third slip. And then he hits down the ground, through the bowler’s hands and off for four. Do that to Jordan and you’ll probably be caught. | Broad bowls, and Blackwood survives two moments of danger: there’s another edge, but this one doesn’t carry to Root at third slip. And then he hits down the ground, through the bowler’s hands and off for four. Do that to Jordan and you’ll probably be caught. |
| @Simon_Burnton It's a Collingwood nurdle, obviously. Can't better a Collingwood nurdle. | @Simon_Burnton It's a Collingwood nurdle, obviously. Can't better a Collingwood nurdle. |
| 9.27pm BST21:27 | 9.27pm BST21:27 |
| 52nd over: West Indies 122-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 42) | 52nd over: West Indies 122-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 42) |
| Jordan bowls a wide. Samuels chases it and nearly reaches it, but can’t quite. The TV cameras show a couple of goats eating shrubs on a nearby hillside. “Good heavens!” cries David Gower, “supper!” It’s impossible not to picture his butler hearing those words, leaping from his chair, fetching his spear and heading off. One of those goats will be slow-roasting within 15 minutes. | Jordan bowls a wide. Samuels chases it and nearly reaches it, but can’t quite. The TV cameras show a couple of goats eating shrubs on a nearby hillside. “Good heavens!” cries David Gower, “supper!” It’s impossible not to picture his butler hearing those words, leaping from his chair, fetching his spear and heading off. One of those goats will be slow-roasting within 15 minutes. |
| 9.22pm BST21:22 | 9.22pm BST21:22 |
| 51st over: West Indies 121-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 42) | 51st over: West Indies 121-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 42) |
| Anderson bowls. This is a maiden over. And yes, I suppose my suggestion also fails on a technicality, but then four shots can’t count either. Check the rulebook. | Anderson bowls. This is a maiden over. And yes, I suppose my suggestion also fails on a technicality, but then four shots can’t count either. Check the rulebook. |
| @Simon_Burnton Pietersen's switch-hit wasn't in Test cricket though! How about Kapil Dev's four sixes to save the follow-on? | @Simon_Burnton Pietersen's switch-hit wasn't in Test cricket though! How about Kapil Dev's four sixes to save the follow-on? |
| Updated at 9.27pm BST | Updated at 9.27pm BST |
| 9.17pm BST21:17 | 9.17pm BST21:17 |
| 50th over: West Indies 121-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 42) | 50th over: West Indies 121-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 42) |
| Ballance, stuck at long leg with his pads still on during a break from silly-point duties, dives at the deep fine leg boundary to save a couple of runs. | Ballance, stuck at long leg with his pads still on during a break from silly-point duties, dives at the deep fine leg boundary to save a couple of runs. |
| Updated at 9.18pm BST | Updated at 9.18pm BST |
| 9.12pm BST21:12 | 9.12pm BST21:12 |
| 49th over: West Indies 119-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 40) | 49th over: West Indies 119-4 (Blackwood 20, Samuels 40) |
| Anderson, with a man at silly point, bangs the first couple of balls in short in the hope that Blackwood will fend one up in the air. Instead he leans back and flicks one over the slips for four, and that’s the end of the short stuff. | Anderson, with a man at silly point, bangs the first couple of balls in short in the hope that Blackwood will fend one up in the air. Instead he leans back and flicks one over the slips for four, and that’s the end of the short stuff. |
| 9.08pm BST21:08 | 9.08pm BST21:08 |
| 48th over: West Indies 115-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 40) | 48th over: West Indies 115-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 40) |
| Jordan’s final delivery is a stinker, short and wide and clattered past point for four. Another famous shot suggestion, from David Melody: “A play and a miss – Bradman’s against Eric Hollies, bowled for a duck in his last test innings?!” I don’t think a miss can possibly be cricket’s most famous shot. | Jordan’s final delivery is a stinker, short and wide and clattered past point for four. Another famous shot suggestion, from David Melody: “A play and a miss – Bradman’s against Eric Hollies, bowled for a duck in his last test innings?!” I don’t think a miss can possibly be cricket’s most famous shot. |
| 9.04pm BST21:04 | 9.04pm BST21:04 |
| 47th over: West Indies 109-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 34) | 47th over: West Indies 109-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 34) |
| “‘It’s the Ashes! It’s the Ashes!!’ – Denis Compton, The Oval, 1953,” proposes Alex Brown, “or is the commentary rather than the shot?” Yes, I’d say that’s all about the commentary. What about the first Pietersen switch-hit? | “‘It’s the Ashes! It’s the Ashes!!’ – Denis Compton, The Oval, 1953,” proposes Alex Brown, “or is the commentary rather than the shot?” Yes, I’d say that’s all about the commentary. What about the first Pietersen switch-hit? |
| 9.02pm BST21:02 | 9.02pm BST21:02 |
| 46th over: West Indies 108-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 33) | 46th over: West Indies 108-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 33) |
| Dropped! Jordan bowls, Samuels goes for the drive and edges it just to the right of Cook at first slip. It wasn’t the easiest of chances, but it was probably the second easiest of chances. Down it went! | Dropped! Jordan bowls, Samuels goes for the drive and edges it just to the right of Cook at first slip. It wasn’t the easiest of chances, but it was probably the second easiest of chances. Down it went! |
| @Simon_Burnton famous shot? Hoggard's cover drive at Trent bridge in 05 | @Simon_Burnton famous shot? Hoggard's cover drive at Trent bridge in 05 |
| @1980sSportsBlog @Simon_Burnton Hoggy's | @1980sSportsBlog @Simon_Burnton Hoggy's |
| Two votes (out of two cast) can’t be ignored … | Two votes (out of two cast) can’t be ignored … |
| Updated at 9.26pm BST | Updated at 9.26pm BST |
| 8.55pm BST20:55 | 8.55pm BST20:55 |
| 45th over: West Indies 107-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 32) | 45th over: West Indies 107-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 32) |
| Anderson is still finding some movement, but it’s of a different order to that he conjured at the start of the day. A leg bye is added to the home side’s score. | Anderson is still finding some movement, but it’s of a different order to that he conjured at the start of the day. A leg bye is added to the home side’s score. |
| 8.51pm BST20:51 | 8.51pm BST20:51 |
| 44th over: West Indies 106-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 32) | 44th over: West Indies 106-4 (Blackwood 16, Samuels 32) |
| Chris Jordan bowls the first of 36 – count ‘em – scheduled overs this session. Blackwood hits between two gullies for four. Here’s an intriguing question I was asked earlier. I don’t know the answer, though I think I can rule out anything played today. | Chris Jordan bowls the first of 36 – count ‘em – scheduled overs this session. Blackwood hits between two gullies for four. Here’s an intriguing question I was asked earlier. I don’t know the answer, though I think I can rule out anything played today. |
| My 8-year-old son just asked me what I thought was the most famous shot in the history of Test cricket! A cracking question. @Simon_Burnton | My 8-year-old son just asked me what I thought was the most famous shot in the history of Test cricket! A cracking question. @Simon_Burnton |
| Updated at 9.21pm BST | Updated at 9.21pm BST |
| 8.44pm BST20:44 | 8.44pm BST20:44 |
| Hello again! So we’re heading into a bumper evening session, which will continue until it’s too dark to see anything, essentially. Welcome! | Hello again! So we’re heading into a bumper evening session, which will continue until it’s too dark to see anything, essentially. Welcome! |
| 8.27pm BST20:27 | 8.27pm BST20:27 |
| TEA | TEA |
| West Indies 102-4. A good battle between bat and ball out there. Simon will be back to guide you through an elongated final session in about 15 minutes. | West Indies 102-4. A good battle between bat and ball out there. Simon will be back to guide you through an elongated final session in about 15 minutes. |
| 8.26pm BST20:26 | 8.26pm BST20:26 |
| 43rd over: West Indies 102-4 (Blackwood 12, Samuels 32) Ali will bowl the final over before tea. Samuels scampers a single, then Blackwood does likewise to bring up the West Indies 100. Samuels unleashes a thunking drive to collect two more. And that’s your lot. | 43rd over: West Indies 102-4 (Blackwood 12, Samuels 32) Ali will bowl the final over before tea. Samuels scampers a single, then Blackwood does likewise to bring up the West Indies 100. Samuels unleashes a thunking drive to collect two more. And that’s your lot. |
| 8.23pm BST20:23 | 8.23pm BST20:23 |
| 42nd over: West Indies 98-4 (Blackwood 11, Samuels 29) Blackwood, looking in decent nick (as well he might after Antigua), punches one wide of the slips for four more. And from the next he gets cut in half by a cracker – it seamed and swing late, coming back past the inside edge and missing the stumps by a whisker. Next up he has a big waft outside off, connecting only with Grenadan air. Stokes gives him a sarcastic clap of encouragement. Fine over. | 42nd over: West Indies 98-4 (Blackwood 11, Samuels 29) Blackwood, looking in decent nick (as well he might after Antigua), punches one wide of the slips for four more. And from the next he gets cut in half by a cracker – it seamed and swing late, coming back past the inside edge and missing the stumps by a whisker. Next up he has a big waft outside off, connecting only with Grenadan air. Stokes gives him a sarcastic clap of encouragement. Fine over. |
| 8.19pm BST20:19 | 8.19pm BST20:19 |
| 41st over: West Indies 93-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 28) There’s a huge shout as Samuels is thwocked on the pad by Ali. The umpire says no. But England opt for a REVIEW. Might be bouncing over, might be sliding down. And Hawkeye shows the ball clipping the top of leg stump, but not by enough. It was a very good shout, though. And Samuels again takes a single from the last, the only run of the over, to pinch the strike. | 41st over: West Indies 93-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 28) There’s a huge shout as Samuels is thwocked on the pad by Ali. The umpire says no. But England opt for a REVIEW. Might be bouncing over, might be sliding down. And Hawkeye shows the ball clipping the top of leg stump, but not by enough. It was a very good shout, though. And Samuels again takes a single from the last, the only run of the over, to pinch the strike. |
| Updated at 8.20pm BST | Updated at 8.20pm BST |
| 8.15pm BST20:15 | 8.15pm BST20:15 |
| 40th over: West Indies 92-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 27) Stokes continues to bend his back. Samuels keeps his powder dry … but only for so long. He has a bit of a heave at the fifth ball, squirting a thick outside edge away past backward point for four, then pinching the strike from the last. | 40th over: West Indies 92-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 27) Stokes continues to bend his back. Samuels keeps his powder dry … but only for so long. He has a bit of a heave at the fifth ball, squirting a thick outside edge away past backward point for four, then pinching the strike from the last. |
| 8.11pm BST20:11 | 8.11pm BST20:11 |
| 39th over: West Indies 87-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 22) Ali rattles through another over. Blackwood dances down the track to the last … but only to prop forward and smother the spin. Another maiden. | 39th over: West Indies 87-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 22) Ali rattles through another over. Blackwood dances down the track to the last … but only to prop forward and smother the spin. Another maiden. |
| 8.09pm BST20:09 | 8.09pm BST20:09 |
| 38th over: West Indies 87-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 22) Stokes holds his neck and upper body at a certain angle when arriving at the crease. It’s been bugging me for ages exactly what it reminds me of. And it’s just struck me: | 38th over: West Indies 87-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 22) Stokes holds his neck and upper body at a certain angle when arriving at the crease. It’s been bugging me for ages exactly what it reminds me of. And it’s just struck me: |
| Yep, it’s exactly the angle that the dilophosaurus has with its head after meeting Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park (1min 57sec) in the clip. Obviously. A maiden. | Yep, it’s exactly the angle that the dilophosaurus has with its head after meeting Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park (1min 57sec) in the clip. Obviously. A maiden. |
| 8.04pm BST20:04 | 8.04pm BST20:04 |
| 37th over: West Indies 87-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 22) Ali has switched ends here. His first is dragged down and Samuels leaps on the chance to free his arms, cutting away the simplest boundary he’ll score today. He tickles the next away to leg to add another to the tally and Blackwood clips the last away for two more. | 37th over: West Indies 87-4 (Blackwood 7, Samuels 22) Ali has switched ends here. His first is dragged down and Samuels leaps on the chance to free his arms, cutting away the simplest boundary he’ll score today. He tickles the next away to leg to add another to the tally and Blackwood clips the last away for two more. |
| 8.00pm BST20:00 | 8.00pm BST20:00 |
| 36th over: West Indies 80-4 (Blackwood 5, Samuels 17) Stokes’s turn to send down a maiden, this one at Blackwood. | 36th over: West Indies 80-4 (Blackwood 5, Samuels 17) Stokes’s turn to send down a maiden, this one at Blackwood. |
| 7.57pm BST19:57 | 7.57pm BST19:57 |
| 35th over: West Indies 80-4 (Blackwood 5, Samuels 17) “The Medicated Ball-Sponge is a bit of a mouthful,” notes John Starbuck. “Why not The Swab or The Mop? ‘The Mop has just been knocked over.’ Much snappier, eh?” Broad sends down another maiden at Samuels as the sky fills in and things begin to look decidedly gloomy in St George’s. | 35th over: West Indies 80-4 (Blackwood 5, Samuels 17) “The Medicated Ball-Sponge is a bit of a mouthful,” notes John Starbuck. “Why not The Swab or The Mop? ‘The Mop has just been knocked over.’ Much snappier, eh?” Broad sends down another maiden at Samuels as the sky fills in and things begin to look decidedly gloomy in St George’s. |
| 7.53pm BST19:53 | 7.53pm BST19:53 |
| 34th over: West Indies 80-4 (Blackwood 5, Samuels 17) So Stokes, showing no after-effects of that injury earlier, takes a key wicket with his second ball. And he didn’t overstep! Here’s Mike Selvey on his no-ball problem: | 34th over: West Indies 80-4 (Blackwood 5, Samuels 17) So Stokes, showing no after-effects of that injury earlier, takes a key wicket with his second ball. And he didn’t overstep! Here’s Mike Selvey on his no-ball problem: |
| Anyone who has read the piece I did the other day about Ben Stokes no-balling might be interested to know that I spoke to Steve Davis about it last night. He said the umpires no longer call tight no-balls in case they are shown to be wrong knowing that if a wicket falls it will be checked anyway. We both agree this is wrong, and unhelpful to a bowler who might think he is OK, but a product of the scrutiny they are under. He also says they do (or at least he does) talk to the bowlers and let them know they might be getting a bit tight on the line. But he also said that Stokes is very inconsistent in that regard. | Anyone who has read the piece I did the other day about Ben Stokes no-balling might be interested to know that I spoke to Steve Davis about it last night. He said the umpires no longer call tight no-balls in case they are shown to be wrong knowing that if a wicket falls it will be checked anyway. We both agree this is wrong, and unhelpful to a bowler who might think he is OK, but a product of the scrutiny they are under. He also says they do (or at least he does) talk to the bowlers and let them know they might be getting a bit tight on the line. But he also said that Stokes is very inconsistent in that regard. |
| Blackwood drives sumptuously down the ground (and on the ground) for four. | Blackwood drives sumptuously down the ground (and on the ground) for four. |
| 7.49pm BST19:49 | 7.49pm BST19:49 |
| WICKET! Chanderpaul c Ali b Stokes 1 (West Indies 74-4) | WICKET! Chanderpaul c Ali b Stokes 1 (West Indies 74-4) |
| Trouble now! Stokes brings Chanderpaul onto the front foot, and the batsman makes a mistake. It’s only a push but the ball slides off the face and finds Moeen Ali diving forward at point. | Trouble now! Stokes brings Chanderpaul onto the front foot, and the batsman makes a mistake. It’s only a push but the ball slides off the face and finds Moeen Ali diving forward at point. |
| Updated at 9.27pm BST | Updated at 9.27pm BST |
| 7.46pm BST19:46 | 7.46pm BST19:46 |
| 33rd over: West Indies 73-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 15) Broad and the slip cordon roar an appeal as Samuels is slapped on the pad, but it might be too high and it’s definitely too missing-the-leg-stump-by-a-foot. The last Samuels times through the covers for three. But West Indies aren’t going anywhere fast at the moment. | 33rd over: West Indies 73-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 15) Broad and the slip cordon roar an appeal as Samuels is slapped on the pad, but it might be too high and it’s definitely too missing-the-leg-stump-by-a-foot. The last Samuels times through the covers for three. But West Indies aren’t going anywhere fast at the moment. |
| 7.42pm BST19:42 | 7.42pm BST19:42 |
| 32nd over: West Indies 70-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 12) Marlon Samuels moves into double figures by glancing Ali to fine leg for a couple. He’s just struggling for control at the minute. | 32nd over: West Indies 70-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 12) Marlon Samuels moves into double figures by glancing Ali to fine leg for a couple. He’s just struggling for control at the minute. |
| Mo getting some turn. Needs some overs to get a proper rhythm. | Mo getting some turn. Needs some overs to get a proper rhythm. |
| 7.39pm BST19:39 | 7.39pm BST19:39 |
| 31st over: West Indies 67-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 9) Chanderpaul is a kind of ball-sponge – he just soaks up deliveries, drawing the sting from the bowler. So a medicated ball-sponge perhaps. Sure it’s not quite as pithy a nickname as The Wall or the Little Master, but I reckon The Medicated Ball-Sponge is one that’ll stand the test of time. Broad goes through a maiden at … The Medicated Ball-Sponge. | 31st over: West Indies 67-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 9) Chanderpaul is a kind of ball-sponge – he just soaks up deliveries, drawing the sting from the bowler. So a medicated ball-sponge perhaps. Sure it’s not quite as pithy a nickname as The Wall or the Little Master, but I reckon The Medicated Ball-Sponge is one that’ll stand the test of time. Broad goes through a maiden at … The Medicated Ball-Sponge. |
| 7.35pm BST19:35 | 7.35pm BST19:35 |
| 30th over: West Indies 67-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 9) Chanderpaul gets off the mark with a guide past backward point off Ali. There is plenty of turn for him – Samuels has a bit of a hoik at one that rips past his pads on the leg side and fails to make contact. | 30th over: West Indies 67-3 (Chanderpaul 1, Samuels 9) Chanderpaul gets off the mark with a guide past backward point off Ali. There is plenty of turn for him – Samuels has a bit of a hoik at one that rips past his pads on the leg side and fails to make contact. |
| 7.32pm BST19:32 | 7.32pm BST19:32 |
| 29th over: West Indies 65-3 (Chanderpaul 0, Samuels 9) That was an ugly little shot from Bravo, a shame as he’d been batting well. So Shiv Chanderpaul arrives at the crease, bringing with him several day’s worth of food rations and a copy of War and Peace. | 29th over: West Indies 65-3 (Chanderpaul 0, Samuels 9) That was an ugly little shot from Bravo, a shame as he’d been batting well. So Shiv Chanderpaul arrives at the crease, bringing with him several day’s worth of food rations and a copy of War and Peace. |
| Updated at 7.34pm BST | Updated at 7.34pm BST |
| 7.30pm BST19:30 | 7.30pm BST19:30 |
| WICKET! Bravo c Cook b Broad 35 (West Indies 65-3) | WICKET! Bravo c Cook b Broad 35 (West Indies 65-3) |
| Broad offers Bravo a full wide one and Bravo smacks him gleefully through the covers for four. He shouldn’t mind that too much, as at least he got Bravo driving, but he’s gone back over the wicket in any case. And – what do I know? – it’s done the trick! Bravo plays a nothing shot at one just short of a length and angled across his body, ending up flicking an edge through to the captain at slip. | Broad offers Bravo a full wide one and Bravo smacks him gleefully through the covers for four. He shouldn’t mind that too much, as at least he got Bravo driving, but he’s gone back over the wicket in any case. And – what do I know? – it’s done the trick! Bravo plays a nothing shot at one just short of a length and angled across his body, ending up flicking an edge through to the captain at slip. |
| Updated at 7.41pm BST | Updated at 7.41pm BST |
| 7.26pm BST19:26 | 7.26pm BST19:26 |
| 28th over: West Indies 60-2 (Bravo 31, Samuels 7) Thanks Simon. Hello again. Well, that was a scary moment. Whenever a player slides like that memories of Simon Jones come flooding back. Instantly you fear the worst, but Stokes seems OK though he’s stretching the hip muscle between overs. Moeen Ali returns and finds a bit of grip in the pitch. Two from the over. | 28th over: West Indies 60-2 (Bravo 31, Samuels 7) Thanks Simon. Hello again. Well, that was a scary moment. Whenever a player slides like that memories of Simon Jones come flooding back. Instantly you fear the worst, but Stokes seems OK though he’s stretching the hip muscle between overs. Moeen Ali returns and finds a bit of grip in the pitch. Two from the over. |
| 7.23pm BST19:23 | 7.23pm BST19:23 |
| 27th over: West Indies 58-2 (Bravo 29, Samuels 7) | 27th over: West Indies 58-2 (Bravo 29, Samuels 7) |
| Broad continues, and Samuels gets a single from the first delivery. While fielding it, Stokes goes down hard and apparently painfully, and stays down. Thoughts immediately turn to Simon Jones, his knee having taken the impact when he went to ground, but when he starts moving his hands don’t clutch his knee but his thigh. While he’s being treated the players take drinks, cunningly saving a little time, and by the time it’s all over Stokes is back on his feet and still on the field. At which, I’m off for a bit – John Ashdown will return to take you through to tea. Bye for now! | Broad continues, and Samuels gets a single from the first delivery. While fielding it, Stokes goes down hard and apparently painfully, and stays down. Thoughts immediately turn to Simon Jones, his knee having taken the impact when he went to ground, but when he starts moving his hands don’t clutch his knee but his thigh. While he’s being treated the players take drinks, cunningly saving a little time, and by the time it’s all over Stokes is back on his feet and still on the field. At which, I’m off for a bit – John Ashdown will return to take you through to tea. Bye for now! |
| Updated at 7.31pm BST | Updated at 7.31pm BST |
| 7.15pm BST19:15 | 7.15pm BST19:15 |
| 26th over: West Indies 55-2 (Bravo 26, Samuels 7) | 26th over: West Indies 55-2 (Bravo 26, Samuels 7) |
| Jordan bowls a no ball, and Samuels scores a run. This has been a startlingly dull opening to the session, featuring as it has both very few runs and very few useful deliveries. | Jordan bowls a no ball, and Samuels scores a run. This has been a startlingly dull opening to the session, featuring as it has both very few runs and very few useful deliveries. |
| Any chance of bowling somewhere near those three sticks of wood, fellas? | Any chance of bowling somewhere near those three sticks of wood, fellas? |
| 7.08pm BST19:08 | 7.08pm BST19:08 |
| 25th over: West Indies 52-2 (Bravo 26, Samuels 5) | 25th over: West Indies 52-2 (Bravo 26, Samuels 5) |
| “Am I the only one who is a bit worried about Buttler’s keeping?” asks Krishnan Patel, as Broad returns. “The guy isn’t convincing enough with the gloves and hasn’t exactly dragged the team out of adversities with the bat either. I get that he’s an exciting batsman but the way things are going, he’s got dropped-Steve-Smith-at-a-crucial-juncture-costing-us-the-Ashes written all over him.” His handling has looked a little uncertain of late, and that potential certainly exists, but I’m still with him – there may have been hints of potential howlers, but there haven’t been many actual howlers. | “Am I the only one who is a bit worried about Buttler’s keeping?” asks Krishnan Patel, as Broad returns. “The guy isn’t convincing enough with the gloves and hasn’t exactly dragged the team out of adversities with the bat either. I get that he’s an exciting batsman but the way things are going, he’s got dropped-Steve-Smith-at-a-crucial-juncture-costing-us-the-Ashes written all over him.” His handling has looked a little uncertain of late, and that potential certainly exists, but I’m still with him – there may have been hints of potential howlers, but there haven’t been many actual howlers. |
| Updated at 7.10pm BST | Updated at 7.10pm BST |
| 7.03pm BST19:03 | 7.03pm BST19:03 |
| 24th over: West Indies 50-2 (Bravo 24, Samuels 5) | 24th over: West Indies 50-2 (Bravo 24, Samuels 5) |
| After the fourth delivery of the over, there’s a loud outbreak of cheering in the stands. Pictures so some schoolkids waving inflatable plastic noisemaking devices, but don’t explain why they chose that particular moment to wield them. Samuels edges Jordan’s final delivery just wide of gully and away to third man for four. | After the fourth delivery of the over, there’s a loud outbreak of cheering in the stands. Pictures so some schoolkids waving inflatable plastic noisemaking devices, but don’t explain why they chose that particular moment to wield them. Samuels edges Jordan’s final delivery just wide of gully and away to third man for four. |
| 6.59pm BST18:59 | 6.59pm BST18:59 |
| 23rd over: West Indies 45-2 (Bravo 23, Samuels 1) | 23rd over: West Indies 45-2 (Bravo 23, Samuels 1) |
| Anderson bowls just down the leg side and Bravo swishes at it as it passes his buttock. It’s precisely what the leg slip’s there for, but the batsman misses the ball. Samuels has faced 28 balls, 45% of Bravo’s 62, and scored one run, 4% of Bravo’s 23. | Anderson bowls just down the leg side and Bravo swishes at it as it passes his buttock. It’s precisely what the leg slip’s there for, but the batsman misses the ball. Samuels has faced 28 balls, 45% of Bravo’s 62, and scored one run, 4% of Bravo’s 23. |
| 6.56pm BST18:56 | 6.56pm BST18:56 |
| 22nd over: West Indies 44-2 (Bravo 22, Samuels 1) | 22nd over: West Indies 44-2 (Bravo 22, Samuels 1) |
| The leg slip that nearly brought Smith’s wicket in the first session is back in place. The only problem with the plan is that the one English fielder likely to take the kind of catch dropped by Ballance then is Jordan, and he’s bowling. | The leg slip that nearly brought Smith’s wicket in the first session is back in place. The only problem with the plan is that the one English fielder likely to take the kind of catch dropped by Ballance then is Jordan, and he’s bowling. |
| 6.51pm BST18:51 | 6.51pm BST18:51 |
| 21st over: West Indies 43-2 (Bravo 21, Samuels 1) | 21st over: West Indies 43-2 (Bravo 21, Samuels 1) |
| Anderson bowls another stonker, similar to the one that brought him his wicket, although it started wider so didn’t threaten the wicket, and could be (and was) safely left. Another maiden. | Anderson bowls another stonker, similar to the one that brought him his wicket, although it started wider so didn’t threaten the wicket, and could be (and was) safely left. Another maiden. |
| 6.47pm BST18:47 | 6.47pm BST18:47 |
| 20th over: West Indies 43-2 (Bravo 21, Samuels 1) | 20th over: West Indies 43-2 (Bravo 21, Samuels 1) |
| Bravo gets a single from Jordan’s first delivery and Samuels does the same from his last, the batsman taking 21 balls to get off the mark. | Bravo gets a single from Jordan’s first delivery and Samuels does the same from his last, the batsman taking 21 balls to get off the mark. |
| Updated at 6.51pm BST | Updated at 6.51pm BST |
| 6.42pm BST18:42 | 6.42pm BST18:42 |
| 19th over: West Indies 41-2 (Bravo 20, Samuels 0) | 19th over: West Indies 41-2 (Bravo 20, Samuels 0) |
| If I got a penny every time a commentator lamented that England’s bowlers really should pitch it up a bit, I’d be, well, not exactly wealthy, but certainly less exasperated every time I hear a commentator lament that England’s bowlers really should pitch it up a bit. It is perplexing, though, that having spent the first Test labouring in unhelpful conditions, England find ideal swing potential and don’t try to maximise it. Anyway, Bravo gets a single, and Samuels is still letting lunch settle. | If I got a penny every time a commentator lamented that England’s bowlers really should pitch it up a bit, I’d be, well, not exactly wealthy, but certainly less exasperated every time I hear a commentator lament that England’s bowlers really should pitch it up a bit. It is perplexing, though, that having spent the first Test labouring in unhelpful conditions, England find ideal swing potential and don’t try to maximise it. Anyway, Bravo gets a single, and Samuels is still letting lunch settle. |
| Brilliant bowler that he is if Anderson had pitched it up more he would have 3-30 rather than 1-11. | Brilliant bowler that he is if Anderson had pitched it up more he would have 3-30 rather than 1-11. |
| 6.38pm BST18:38 | 6.38pm BST18:38 |
| 18th over: West Indies 40-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) | 18th over: West Indies 40-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) |
| The first scoreboard action since lunch are byes, and there are four of them, Jordan sending the ball across Samuels and way down leg side. Buttler dived over the ball, which was bouncing at the time, and after that there was no stopping it. | The first scoreboard action since lunch are byes, and there are four of them, Jordan sending the ball across Samuels and way down leg side. Buttler dived over the ball, which was bouncing at the time, and after that there was no stopping it. |
| 6.34pm BST18:34 | 6.34pm BST18:34 |
| 17th over: West Indies 36-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) | 17th over: West Indies 36-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) |
| I don’t know what they had for lunch, but it seems to have settled heavy in West Indies’ stomachs, such is their aversion to post-prandial running. Anderson bowls a maiden too, to the left-handed Bravo. | I don’t know what they had for lunch, but it seems to have settled heavy in West Indies’ stomachs, such is their aversion to post-prandial running. Anderson bowls a maiden too, to the left-handed Bravo. |
| Updated at 6.55pm BST | Updated at 6.55pm BST |
| 6.30pm BST18:30 | 6.30pm BST18:30 |
| 16th over: West Indies 36-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) | 16th over: West Indies 36-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) |
| A maiden from Jordan. Love this picture Imran Khan tweeted a few minutes ago. More cricketers – and people in general – should superimpose cheesy wavy photographs of themselves onto pictures of places they visit, I think. It can only improve global happiness. | A maiden from Jordan. Love this picture Imran Khan tweeted a few minutes ago. More cricketers – and people in general – should superimpose cheesy wavy photographs of themselves onto pictures of places they visit, I think. It can only improve global happiness. |
| Want to thank the people of Karachi for standing with PTI to end politics of fear. pic.twitter.com/jflbf1nWnB | Want to thank the people of Karachi for standing with PTI to end politics of fear. pic.twitter.com/jflbf1nWnB |
| Updated at 6.34pm BST | Updated at 6.34pm BST |
| 6.26pm BST18:26 | 6.26pm BST18:26 |
| The players are back out, Jordan with the ball in his clutches. Game on! | The players are back out, Jordan with the ball in his clutches. Game on! |
| 6.18pm BST18:18 | 6.18pm BST18:18 |
| Hello world! | Hello world! |
| Well it was worth sitting through any amount of rain to see the delivery that did for Kraigg Brathwaite, an absolute beauty from Anderson. ’Tis but a shame he couldn’t repeat it. Meanwhile, this is a very recent picture from the only webcam I can find in Grenada, which suggests it’s cloudy and choppy but not actually raining: | Well it was worth sitting through any amount of rain to see the delivery that did for Kraigg Brathwaite, an absolute beauty from Anderson. ’Tis but a shame he couldn’t repeat it. Meanwhile, this is a very recent picture from the only webcam I can find in Grenada, which suggests it’s cloudy and choppy but not actually raining: |
| 5.48pm BST17:48 | 5.48pm BST17:48 |
| LUNCH | LUNCH |
| West Indies 36-2. England’s mini-session you’d have to say. If the rain stays away, Simon Burnton will be your guide to the afternoon action. If the rain doesn’t stay away, Simon Burnton will be your guide to the afternoon rain. | West Indies 36-2. England’s mini-session you’d have to say. If the rain stays away, Simon Burnton will be your guide to the afternoon action. If the rain doesn’t stay away, Simon Burnton will be your guide to the afternoon rain. |
| Updated at 5.49pm BST | Updated at 5.49pm BST |
| 5.47pm BST17:47 | 5.47pm BST17:47 |
| 15th over: West Indies 36-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) Replays show the noises we heard when Smith was given out might well have been bat on ground. There seems to be a gap between bat and ball. No Hotspot or Snicko again, so the batsman opts not to review. Moeen Ali comes on for the obligatory over before lunch. Bravo slams a full toss through midwicket for four, then cuts firmly square of the wicket for four more. | 15th over: West Indies 36-2 (Bravo 19, Samuels 0) Replays show the noises we heard when Smith was given out might well have been bat on ground. There seems to be a gap between bat and ball. No Hotspot or Snicko again, so the batsman opts not to review. Moeen Ali comes on for the obligatory over before lunch. Bravo slams a full toss through midwicket for four, then cuts firmly square of the wicket for four more. |
| Updated at 6.29pm BST | Updated at 6.29pm BST |
| 5.43pm BST17:43 | 5.43pm BST17:43 |
| 14th over: West Indies 28-2 (Bravo 11, Samuels 0) Jordan deserved that – it was an excellent over. | 14th over: West Indies 28-2 (Bravo 11, Samuels 0) Jordan deserved that – it was an excellent over. |
| sharp chance Smith to Ballance at legslip. Just been placed there. But he edges to Buttler three balls later, who almost drops it too. 28-2 | sharp chance Smith to Ballance at legslip. Just been placed there. But he edges to Buttler three balls later, who almost drops it too. 28-2 |
| Updated at 5.45pm BST | Updated at 5.45pm BST |
| 5.43pm BST17:43 | 5.43pm BST17:43 |
| WICKET! Smith c Buttler b Jordan 15 (West Indies 28-2) | WICKET! Smith c Buttler b Jordan 15 (West Indies 28-2) |
| Bravo flicks Jordan just wide of the man at leg slip for a single, but next up Smith sends one almost right at him. Ballance has to dive to his left, and the ball was travelling, but he’ll be disappointed not to hold on. That’s an escape. Smith celebrates the reprieve with a on drive for two. Conditions are obviously favourable but this is about as well as I’ve seen Jordan bowl. And now he’s got a wicket! It’s full outside off, tempting Smith into the drive and he can only edge through to Buttler. Cue silence in the stands. | Bravo flicks Jordan just wide of the man at leg slip for a single, but next up Smith sends one almost right at him. Ballance has to dive to his left, and the ball was travelling, but he’ll be disappointed not to hold on. That’s an escape. Smith celebrates the reprieve with a on drive for two. Conditions are obviously favourable but this is about as well as I’ve seen Jordan bowl. And now he’s got a wicket! It’s full outside off, tempting Smith into the drive and he can only edge through to Buttler. Cue silence in the stands. |
| Updated at 5.53pm BST | Updated at 5.53pm BST |
| 5.38pm BST17:38 | 5.38pm BST17:38 |
| 13th over: West Indies 25-1 (Bravo 10, Smith 13) Anderson continues into his seventh over. He goes back over the wicket and loses his line a touch – the batsmen nudge into the leg side for a series of singles. | 13th over: West Indies 25-1 (Bravo 10, Smith 13) Anderson continues into his seventh over. He goes back over the wicket and loses his line a touch – the batsmen nudge into the leg side for a series of singles. |
| 5.34pm BST17:34 | 5.34pm BST17:34 |
| 12th over: West Indies 22-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 12) Chris Jordan replaces Broad at the River End. He finds plenty of movement too, although Smith is able to flick away to leg for a single to bring to an end the run of dot balls. His first four are all a little leg-side, but then he gets it right, swinging one back onto Smith’s pads. There’s a yelp of appeal, but the batsman has got a bit of bat on it I reckon. The last is pitched right up and Smith drives sweetly back down the ground for four. | 12th over: West Indies 22-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 12) Chris Jordan replaces Broad at the River End. He finds plenty of movement too, although Smith is able to flick away to leg for a single to bring to an end the run of dot balls. His first four are all a little leg-side, but then he gets it right, swinging one back onto Smith’s pads. There’s a yelp of appeal, but the batsman has got a bit of bat on it I reckon. The last is pitched right up and Smith drives sweetly back down the ground for four. |
| 5.28pm BST17:28 | 5.28pm BST17:28 |
| 11th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Anderson almost tempts Bravo into a drive from a wide one, but he’s still struggling to make the No3 play. He does, finally, at the third ball of the over, dabbing down into the gully. The fourth maiden on the bounce. | 11th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Anderson almost tempts Bravo into a drive from a wide one, but he’s still struggling to make the No3 play. He does, finally, at the third ball of the over, dabbing down into the gully. The fourth maiden on the bounce. |
| 5.24pm BST17:24 | 5.24pm BST17:24 |
| 10th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Broad forces Smith to play but struggles to discomfort the batsman. Another maiden. | 10th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Broad forces Smith to play but struggles to discomfort the batsman. Another maiden. |
| 5.20pm BST17:20 | 5.20pm BST17:20 |
| 9th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Bravo leaves alone outside off as Anderson looks to angle the ball in then move it away. The fourth is a beauty – persuading the batsman to leave but brushing past off-stump by a centimetre or two. Bravo didn’t have to put bat on ball at all there. | 9th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Bravo leaves alone outside off as Anderson looks to angle the ball in then move it away. The fourth is a beauty – persuading the batsman to leave but brushing past off-stump by a centimetre or two. Bravo didn’t have to put bat on ball at all there. |
| 5.16pm BST17:16 | 5.16pm BST17:16 |
| 8th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Here comes the sun! Broad drags one down and is pulled away by Smith for four, bringing more cheers for the home favourite. The short leg comes out as a result. And Smith is able to play out the rest without fuss. | 8th over: West Indies 16-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 7) Here comes the sun! Broad drags one down and is pulled away by Smith for four, bringing more cheers for the home favourite. The short leg comes out as a result. And Smith is able to play out the rest without fuss. |
| 5.12pm BST17:12 | 5.12pm BST17:12 |
| 7th over: West Indies 12-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 3) Anderson goes round the wicket to Bravo and finds some more prodigious swing in to the left-hander. Bravo plays it brilliantly, driving sweetly through the covers for four. Two balls later he squares the batsman up with one that is angled in and jags away – the edge zips low, an inch or two short of Stokes at fourth slip. | 7th over: West Indies 12-1 (Bravo 8, Smith 3) Anderson goes round the wicket to Bravo and finds some more prodigious swing in to the left-hander. Bravo plays it brilliantly, driving sweetly through the covers for four. Two balls later he squares the batsman up with one that is angled in and jags away – the edge zips low, an inch or two short of Stokes at fourth slip. |
| 5.09pm BST17:09 | 5.09pm BST17:09 |
| 6th over: West Indies 8-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 3) You sometimes have to feel a bit sorry for Stuart Broad – Anderson is finding damp Headingley swing, while he sends down six gun-barrel-straight efforts. He looks for the yorker and falls a touch short, so Smith drives the half-volley down the ground for a couple. | 6th over: West Indies 8-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 3) You sometimes have to feel a bit sorry for Stuart Broad – Anderson is finding damp Headingley swing, while he sends down six gun-barrel-straight efforts. He looks for the yorker and falls a touch short, so Smith drives the half-volley down the ground for a couple. |
| Tricky out there. And I reckon I'd have Mo bowling before lunch too. damp pitch often turns. | Tricky out there. And I reckon I'd have Mo bowling before lunch too. damp pitch often turns. |
| 5.05pm BST17:05 | 5.05pm BST17:05 |
| 5th over: West Indies 6-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 1) Anderson, still finding plenty of movement, squares the left-handed Bravo up a little with a couple then swings one past the outside edge. | 5th over: West Indies 6-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 1) Anderson, still finding plenty of movement, squares the left-handed Bravo up a little with a couple then swings one past the outside edge. |
| 5.01pm BST17:01 | 5.01pm BST17:01 |
| 4th over: West Indies 6-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 1) Broad, quickly up to pretty much full speed, gets one to nibble away a touch of the pitch and beat Smith’s outside edge. He peppers Smith with back-of-a-length stuff outside off. The last is dabbed down rather uncertainly to gully. This is going to be a tough 45 minutes for the West Indies you sense. | 4th over: West Indies 6-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 1) Broad, quickly up to pretty much full speed, gets one to nibble away a touch of the pitch and beat Smith’s outside edge. He peppers Smith with back-of-a-length stuff outside off. The last is dabbed down rather uncertainly to gully. This is going to be a tough 45 minutes for the West Indies you sense. |
| Updated at 5.32pm BST | Updated at 5.32pm BST |
| 4.57pm BST16:57 | 4.57pm BST16:57 |
| 3rd over: West Indies 6-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 1) You’ll see a few replays of that delivery – it was special. If it had flown straight, Buttler would’ve had to dive to his right to take it; had the stumps not intervened the keeper would’ve been diving to his left. Bravo gets off the mark with a tickle to fine leg as the radar goes awry from the last. | 3rd over: West Indies 6-1 (Bravo 4, Smith 1) You’ll see a few replays of that delivery – it was special. If it had flown straight, Buttler would’ve had to dive to his right to take it; had the stumps not intervened the keeper would’ve been diving to his left. Bravo gets off the mark with a tickle to fine leg as the radar goes awry from the last. |
| 4.54pm BST16:54 | 4.54pm BST16:54 |
| WICKET! Brathwaite b Anderson 1 (West Indies 2-1) | WICKET! Brathwaite b Anderson 1 (West Indies 2-1) |
| This is a cracker from Anderson. It’s on a length a foot out off but screams in towards the batsman, hooping like a badly-thrown frisbee. Brathwaite can’t lay a thing on it – and who can blame him? – and is helpless as the ball crashes in to middle-and-leg. | This is a cracker from Anderson. It’s on a length a foot out off but screams in towards the batsman, hooping like a badly-thrown frisbee. Brathwaite can’t lay a thing on it – and who can blame him? – and is helpless as the ball crashes in to middle-and-leg. |
| Updated at 5.29pm BST | Updated at 5.29pm BST |
| 4.51pm BST16:51 | 4.51pm BST16:51 |
| 2nd over: West Indies 2-0 (Brathwaite 1, Smith 1) Stuart Broad from the other end, and there are cheers for Devon Smith as he gets the home side off the mark. With his appearance here he’s the first Grenadan to appear in a Test in Grenada. And from the final ball of the over Brathwaite also gets off the mark. | 2nd over: West Indies 2-0 (Brathwaite 1, Smith 1) Stuart Broad from the other end, and there are cheers for Devon Smith as he gets the home side off the mark. With his appearance here he’s the first Grenadan to appear in a Test in Grenada. And from the final ball of the over Brathwaite also gets off the mark. |
| 4.47pm BST16:47 | 4.47pm BST16:47 |
| 1st over: West Indies 0-0 (Brathwaite 0, Smith 0) So the players are out for a second time, James Anderson is at the end of his run, and play is about to start. He finds a bit of swing – the fourth ball squaring Brathwaite up and going past the outside edge – but it’s all a bit medium pace, all those overs in Antigua perhaps taking their toll. Even so, the last ball catches the edge of Brathwaite’s push forward but drops a foot short of Bell at second slip. | 1st over: West Indies 0-0 (Brathwaite 0, Smith 0) So the players are out for a second time, James Anderson is at the end of his run, and play is about to start. He finds a bit of swing – the fourth ball squaring Brathwaite up and going past the outside edge – but it’s all a bit medium pace, all those overs in Antigua perhaps taking their toll. Even so, the last ball catches the edge of Brathwaite’s push forward but drops a foot short of Bell at second slip. |
| 4.45pm BST16:45 | 4.45pm BST16:45 |
| A revised schedule (all times BST) | A revised schedule (all times BST) |
| Morning 4.45pm to 5.45pmLUNCHAfternoon 6.25pm to 8.25pmTEAEvening 8.45pm to 11pm | Morning 4.45pm to 5.45pmLUNCHAfternoon 6.25pm to 8.25pmTEAEvening 8.45pm to 11pm |
| 4.38pm BST16:38 | 4.38pm BST16:38 |
| And obviously because I suggest that we may get an early lunch, we get news of a late lunch just to spite me. They’ll start in five minutes, with an hour-long session before the break. | And obviously because I suggest that we may get an early lunch, we get news of a late lunch just to spite me. They’ll start in five minutes, with an hour-long session before the break. |
| 4.37pm BST16:37 | 4.37pm BST16:37 |
| “Reading the OBO, listening to Football Weekly and at Grenada’s National Stadium,” writes Kevin Murphy, who is having a fine old time of it. “There hasn’t been a drop of rain here in 10 days (not during the day anyway). Now we’ll have an hour’s worth of play, then lunch at 12.45. Can’t they take an early lunch and crack on through?!” | “Reading the OBO, listening to Football Weekly and at Grenada’s National Stadium,” writes Kevin Murphy, who is having a fine old time of it. “There hasn’t been a drop of rain here in 10 days (not during the day anyway). Now we’ll have an hour’s worth of play, then lunch at 12.45. Can’t they take an early lunch and crack on through?!” |
| I reckon an early lunch is on the cards now. | I reckon an early lunch is on the cards now. |
| 4.33pm BST16:33 | 4.33pm BST16:33 |
| covers coming off but looks as if it is gathering over Bill's mum's again. | covers coming off but looks as if it is gathering over Bill's mum's again. |
| 4.29pm BST16:29 | 4.29pm BST16:29 |
| The umpires are out having another look and the covers are coming off. | The umpires are out having another look and the covers are coming off. |
| 4.22pm BST16:22 | 4.22pm BST16:22 |
| One positive side to this rain is that Sky have had their advert for their summer coverage on repeat every 10 minutes or so. The music for it is a classic: | One positive side to this rain is that Sky have had their advert for their summer coverage on repeat every 10 minutes or so. The music for it is a classic: |
| I’m pretty sure I nailed this last time I was at the karaoke. That and Boom Shake The Room, obviously. | I’m pretty sure I nailed this last time I was at the karaoke. That and Boom Shake The Room, obviously. |
| 4.19pm BST16:19 | 4.19pm BST16:19 |
| There’s also play in the IPL. To my left, Daniel Harris has just yelped a BAD WORD so either something very good or very bad must be happening over here. Or, knowing the IPL, it could well be both at the same time. | There’s also play in the IPL. To my left, Daniel Harris has just yelped a BAD WORD so either something very good or very bad must be happening over here. Or, knowing the IPL, it could well be both at the same time. |
| 4.13pm BST16:13 | 4.13pm BST16:13 |
| While it’s raining in the Caribbean, it’s cracking flags here in the UK. Ali Martin is in Cardiff, Paul Weaver is in Hove and Richard Gibson is in Nottingham to bring you all the latest from the county championship in our county cricket live blog. | While it’s raining in the Caribbean, it’s cracking flags here in the UK. Ali Martin is in Cardiff, Paul Weaver is in Hove and Richard Gibson is in Nottingham to bring you all the latest from the county championship in our county cricket live blog. |
| 4.07pm BST16:07 | 4.07pm BST16:07 |
| “Tredwell not ‘unlucky’,” writes Mike Selvey, our man in Grenada. “He did an excellent first innings job, but was well aware of the score. if you can improve a side, you do so and Mo is already a proven Test match cricketer with bat and ball.” | “Tredwell not ‘unlucky’,” writes Mike Selvey, our man in Grenada. “He did an excellent first innings job, but was well aware of the score. if you can improve a side, you do so and Mo is already a proven Test match cricketer with bat and ball.” |
| “On England’s team selection, could they realistically have done anything else?” writes Christopher Dale. “Perhaps drop Jordan for Tredwell or Rashid, but otherwise, having selected Trott, it would be nonsensical to drop after two early dismissals to good, swinging deliveries. Ditto, Cook needs runs and time in the middle. If he can recover form, Cook will be a massive asset for England.” | “On England’s team selection, could they realistically have done anything else?” writes Christopher Dale. “Perhaps drop Jordan for Tredwell or Rashid, but otherwise, having selected Trott, it would be nonsensical to drop after two early dismissals to good, swinging deliveries. Ditto, Cook needs runs and time in the middle. If he can recover form, Cook will be a massive asset for England.” |
| 4.00pm BST16:00 | 4.00pm BST16:00 |
| And off they go again! James Anderson was at the end of his run with the ball in his hand … and the rain began hammering down once more. | And off they go again! James Anderson was at the end of his run with the ball in his hand … and the rain began hammering down once more. |
| 3.58pm BST15:58 | 3.58pm BST15:58 |
| Out come the players, with the ground still shrouded in cloud. | Out come the players, with the ground still shrouded in cloud. |
| 3.56pm BST15:56 | 3.56pm BST15:56 |
| That England team hasn’t exactly found favour in the OBO inbox: | That England team hasn’t exactly found favour in the OBO inbox: |
| “Cook and Trott fail, Tredders takes wickets, Tredders gets dropped,” writes Jonny Wilkins. “Very England.” | “Cook and Trott fail, Tredders takes wickets, Tredders gets dropped,” writes Jonny Wilkins. “Very England.” |
| “If anyone else is having a bad day then perhaps they can be described as having a bit of a Tredwell,” writes Ian Copestake. “Feel for him.” | “If anyone else is having a bad day then perhaps they can be described as having a bit of a Tredwell,” writes Ian Copestake. “Feel for him.” |
| “Having a Tredwell.” I like that. It’s more of a having-a-good-day-but-getting-no-reward kind-of word. What would be the cricket equivalent of Reaganing? | “Having a Tredwell.” I like that. It’s more of a having-a-good-day-but-getting-no-reward kind-of word. What would be the cricket equivalent of Reaganing? |
| 3.44pm BST15:44 | 3.44pm BST15:44 |
| Play will begin at 4pm BST. That’s around 15 minutes away. | Play will begin at 4pm BST. That’s around 15 minutes away. |
| 3.42pm BST15:42 | 3.42pm BST15:42 |
| Team news | Team news |
| Moeen Ali comes in for James Tredwell (who Cook confirms is fit enough to play). The West Indies do have an injury blow, though, and it’s a big one: Jerome Taylor is injured, so Shannon Gabriel comes in. Bishoo is in for Benn. | Moeen Ali comes in for James Tredwell (who Cook confirms is fit enough to play). The West Indies do have an injury blow, though, and it’s a big one: Jerome Taylor is injured, so Shannon Gabriel comes in. Bishoo is in for Benn. |
| West Indies: Brathwaite, Smith, Bravo, Samuels, Chanderpaul, Blackwood, Ramdin, Holder, Gabriel, Roach, Bishoo. | West Indies: Brathwaite, Smith, Bravo, Samuels, Chanderpaul, Blackwood, Ramdin, Holder, Gabriel, Roach, Bishoo. |
| England: Cook, Trott, Ballance, Bell, Root, Stokes, Ali, Buttler, Jordan, Broad, Anderson. | England: Cook, Trott, Ballance, Bell, Root, Stokes, Ali, Buttler, Jordan, Broad, Anderson. |
| 3.39pm BST15:39 | 3.39pm BST15:39 |
| The toss | The toss |
| Cook calls heads … and that’s how it lands. England win the toss and they’re going to have a bowl. | Cook calls heads … and that’s how it lands. England win the toss and they’re going to have a bowl. |
| 3.35pm BST15:35 | 3.35pm BST15:35 |
| Charidee time: “I’m running a 100 mile ultramarathon in 11 days’ time to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, having done a 50 mile ultra over the South Downs a couple of weeks ago,” writes Oli Smiddy. “Thanks to that, my toenails have gone black and are thinking about falling off, which is a strong look. However, the negative cosmetic impact on my feet will be worth it if I can raise the £1,000 I hope to. If any OBO readers would like to make a donation, they can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/osmiddyultra. Thank you!” | Charidee time: “I’m running a 100 mile ultramarathon in 11 days’ time to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, having done a 50 mile ultra over the South Downs a couple of weeks ago,” writes Oli Smiddy. “Thanks to that, my toenails have gone black and are thinking about falling off, which is a strong look. However, the negative cosmetic impact on my feet will be worth it if I can raise the £1,000 I hope to. If any OBO readers would like to make a donation, they can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/osmiddyultra. Thank you!” |
| 3.28pm BST15:28 | 3.28pm BST15:28 |
| A new toss time: 3.40pm BST. So around 10 minutes away. | A new toss time: 3.40pm BST. So around 10 minutes away. |
| 3.26pm BST15:26 | 3.26pm BST15:26 |
| What are you up to on Monday? Nothing much? A bit of light mooching? Maybe going home after work to dip bread into anything runnier than bread? | What are you up to on Monday? Nothing much? A bit of light mooching? Maybe going home after work to dip bread into anything runnier than bread? |
| Well, why not do something considerably better? Monday 27 April sees the latest edition of The Cricket Pitch, a cricket and comedy show with Alex Horne, Andy Zaltzman Dean Headley & more. And you can get tickets right here. | Well, why not do something considerably better? Monday 27 April sees the latest edition of The Cricket Pitch, a cricket and comedy show with Alex Horne, Andy Zaltzman Dean Headley & more. And you can get tickets right here. |
| 3.12pm BST15:12 | 3.12pm BST15:12 |
| Cook and Moores go and have a look at the pitch. I wonder if the team selection has changed with this rain. | Cook and Moores go and have a look at the pitch. I wonder if the team selection has changed with this rain. |
| 3.10pm BST15:10 | 3.10pm BST15:10 |
| The toss will be in 15 minutes. It’s an interesting call now – given the atmospheric conditions, you’d imagine that the teams would both prefer to have a bit of a bowl, although batting last on this pitch might be an issue. We shall see. | The toss will be in 15 minutes. It’s an interesting call now – given the atmospheric conditions, you’d imagine that the teams would both prefer to have a bit of a bowl, although batting last on this pitch might be an issue. We shall see. |
| 3.05pm BST15:05 | 3.05pm BST15:05 |
| Some suggested reading … | Some suggested reading … |
| While we wait for the toss, why not take a look at today’s Spin from Andy Bull and Mike Selvey’s big match preview. | While we wait for the toss, why not take a look at today’s Spin from Andy Bull and Mike Selvey’s big match preview. |
| 3.02pm BST15:02 | 3.02pm BST15:02 |
| Some good news. The rain has stopped; the covers are off. | Some good news. The rain has stopped; the covers are off. |
| 2.57pm BST14:57 | 2.57pm BST14:57 |
| An email: “Re: Preamble, do you think that Trott needs to score a plethora of runs here to keep his place at the top of the order for the next match and the summer?” wonders David Wall, who knows his Three Amigos. “And do you think he knows what a plethora is? Any word on what the pitch is like in general, in contrast to Ned Niederlander are the bowlers going to need camera tricks to look as though they’re going through with any pace at all?” | An email: “Re: Preamble, do you think that Trott needs to score a plethora of runs here to keep his place at the top of the order for the next match and the summer?” wonders David Wall, who knows his Three Amigos. “And do you think he knows what a plethora is? Any word on what the pitch is like in general, in contrast to Ned Niederlander are the bowlers going to need camera tricks to look as though they’re going through with any pace at all?” |
| 2.50pm BST14:50 | 2.50pm BST14:50 |
| hammering down now | hammering down now |
| 2.44pm BST14:44 | 2.44pm BST14:44 |
| A great stat from the boys at Sky: in first-class matches at this ground since 2012 146 wickerts have fallen to spin (at 14.43), while 54 have gone to seam bowlers (at 26.39). The toss, I’m afraid, has been delayed. | A great stat from the boys at Sky: in first-class matches at this ground since 2012 146 wickerts have fallen to spin (at 14.43), while 54 have gone to seam bowlers (at 26.39). The toss, I’m afraid, has been delayed. |
| 2.38pm BST14:38 | 2.38pm BST14:38 |
| A rapid escalation of precipitation: | A rapid escalation of precipitation: |
| Persistent fine rain now. | Persistent fine rain now. |
| persistent heavy rain now | persistent heavy rain now |
| 2.37pm BST14:37 | 2.37pm BST14:37 |
| “It’s like standing in a sauna,” reports Sir Iron Bottom from the ground. “Very uncomfortable.” Generally I’d recommend lying down in a sauna, or sitting at a push. Standing up just makes it | “It’s like standing in a sauna,” reports Sir Iron Bottom from the ground. “Very uncomfortable.” Generally I’d recommend lying down in a sauna, or sitting at a push. Standing up just makes it |
| even more | even more |
| socially awkward. Botham also suggests it’ll be Rashid for Tredwell rather than Ali. | socially awkward. Botham also suggests it’ll be Rashid for Tredwell rather than Ali. |
| 2.32pm BST14:32 | 2.32pm BST14:32 |
| It does look very grey out in Grenada, but the players are out on the field warming up. Even so the toss seems certain to be delayed. | It does look very grey out in Grenada, but the players are out on the field warming up. Even so the toss seems certain to be delayed. |
| 2.25pm BST14:25 | 2.25pm BST14:25 |
| Yes, we have rain at St George’s. Apparenltly it’s quite light at the moment, though there has been a bit overnight too. | Yes, we have rain at St George’s. Apparenltly it’s quite light at the moment, though there has been a bit overnight too. |
| 2.22pm BST14:22 | 2.22pm BST14:22 |
| I hate to be the bearer of bad news … so I’ll let Lord Selve tell you instead: | I hate to be the bearer of bad news … so I’ll let Lord Selve tell you instead: |
| Big covers going on. | Big covers going on. |
| 2.00pm BST14:00 | 2.00pm BST14:00 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| There’s a scene in The Three Amigos (one of the top-five greatest films ever made, thereisaidit) in which the eponymous trio are searching for El Guapo’s lair and, in order to be shown the way, have to summon the Invisible Swordsman by chanting the magic words and then shooting their guns into the air. They have guns. They have the words written down in a notebook. So it should be simple. Not so: Ned Niederlander (Martin Short) and Lucky Day (Steve Martin, at the absolute peak of his powers) both manage the task without fuss, but Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase) sloppily shoots sideways rather than up, inadvertently killing the Invisible Swordsman and thus scuppering their search. | There’s a scene in The Three Amigos (one of the top-five greatest films ever made, thereisaidit) in which the eponymous trio are searching for El Guapo’s lair and, in order to be shown the way, have to summon the Invisible Swordsman by chanting the magic words and then shooting their guns into the air. They have guns. They have the words written down in a notebook. So it should be simple. Not so: Ned Niederlander (Martin Short) and Lucky Day (Steve Martin, at the absolute peak of his powers) both manage the task without fuss, but Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase) sloppily shoots sideways rather than up, inadvertently killing the Invisible Swordsman and thus scuppering their search. |
| The point is: even the most straightforward of tasks can easily go wrong. Take this Test tour. It was supposed to be a somewhat gentle reintroduction to Test cricket for a beleaguered England side, with a flaky West Indies making obliging hosts. What perhaps wasn’t expected was a new ball pair that have raised questions about the (very different) rehabilitations of England’s openers and a dogged middle-order that, through centuries from Jermaine Blackwood in the first innings and Jason Holder in the second, denied England what should probably have been a 1-0 lead in the series. | The point is: even the most straightforward of tasks can easily go wrong. Take this Test tour. It was supposed to be a somewhat gentle reintroduction to Test cricket for a beleaguered England side, with a flaky West Indies making obliging hosts. What perhaps wasn’t expected was a new ball pair that have raised questions about the (very different) rehabilitations of England’s openers and a dogged middle-order that, through centuries from Jermaine Blackwood in the first innings and Jason Holder in the second, denied England what should probably have been a 1-0 lead in the series. |
| So there’s a bit of an edge to this second Test in Grenada. Moeen Ali is expected to come in for the possibly injured James Tredwell and bat at No7, despite Tricky Tredders’ valiant efforts in Antigua, thus providing England with a ludicrously exciting six, seven and eight in the shape of Ben Stokes, Ali and Jos Buttler. I’d personally like to see Mark Wood given a chance ahead of Chris Jordan, though the rumbles coming from the Caribbean seem to suggest that is unlikely. | So there’s a bit of an edge to this second Test in Grenada. Moeen Ali is expected to come in for the possibly injured James Tredwell and bat at No7, despite Tricky Tredders’ valiant efforts in Antigua, thus providing England with a ludicrously exciting six, seven and eight in the shape of Ben Stokes, Ali and Jos Buttler. I’d personally like to see Mark Wood given a chance ahead of Chris Jordan, though the rumbles coming from the Caribbean seem to suggest that is unlikely. |
| The signs are this is going to be another tough pitch on which to get a result, and with spin likely to play even more of a role leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo will come into the West Indies XI. England’s to-do list, though, has three key bullet points: runs for Cook and Trott, 20 wickets, and, above all, a win – something they haven’t managed away from home since Kolkata in 2012. The Amigos found their way to El Guapo in the end through different means, but who is going to be England’s German-aeroplane-delivering-firearms-to-a-Mexican-bandit? (There’s a sentence you don’t read every day.) | The signs are this is going to be another tough pitch on which to get a result, and with spin likely to play even more of a role leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo will come into the West Indies XI. England’s to-do list, though, has three key bullet points: runs for Cook and Trott, 20 wickets, and, above all, a win – something they haven’t managed away from home since Kolkata in 2012. The Amigos found their way to El Guapo in the end through different means, but who is going to be England’s German-aeroplane-delivering-firearms-to-a-Mexican-bandit? (There’s a sentence you don’t read every day.) |
| Play begins at 3pm BST, 10am in St George’s. | Play begins at 3pm BST, 10am in St George’s. |
| Updated at 2.27pm BST | Updated at 2.27pm BST |
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