**Official** 2004 Natwest Series (Eng, NZL, WI)

[garage flower]

27/2, the ideal start for the Windies considering their bowling attack.

Yep, it was essesential to get early wickets. I'm only following it on Cricinfo, but sounds like they're bowling well. Bradshaw has conceded around 4 runs in his last 3 overs and Tino seems to be looking for wickets while retaining reasonable control.

One more with the new ball would be very handy.

 

[Tim]

England are in serious trouble if they don't make anything more than 200 on this pitch..the West Indies have selected a batting lineup in the hope that they can chase.

 

[garage flower]

Yet again our much vaunted openers have contributed nothing. Given the balance of the WI attack, you wouldn't have thought it was beyond Vaughan to try and see off Best before trying some expansive drives against the white ball. Apparently not.

Yes, sounds like some pretty (or ugly) dim-witted cricket from England, facing a side with only 2 specialist bowlers + all-rounders and part-timers.

Assuming there are no demons in the pitch, Windies should be confident of chasing 250-275.

 

[Tim]

Well they've got the good start..32/2, but the key moment in the match is coming up with Best & Bradshaw about to take a breather. If the part-timers can't chip in, it'll be England all the way again.

 

[wpdavid]

I'm sure WI will fancy anything below 275 on this wicket. Vaughan's performance in ODI's is bizarre. He seems an intelligent enough cricketer in tests, but he's chucked his wicket away in virtually all of this summer's odious games. I've long argued he should bat in the middle order in these games, but much more of this and he shouldn't even be in the side. Hopefully Harmison has noticed that Bests's success has come from pitching the ball up.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England are in serious trouble if they don't make anything more than 200 on this pitch..the West Indies have selected a batting lineup in the hope that they can chase.

Dwayne Smith batting at 8. That's depth. I think West Indies would back themselves to chase anything below 310 on a very good batting pitch at Lords.

 

[MoxPearl]

33-2 off 14 overs.... lol

 

[Tim]

Lets not get too carried away...The West Indies haven't exactly been on fire with the bat either. But lets hope England put up a decent score.

 

[garage flower]

I think West Indies would back themselves to chase anything below 310 on a very good batting pitch at Lords.

They might and probably should, but I wouldn't put the house on it.

The depth is there in theory, but as we've seen there's also plenty of scope for ignominious collapses.

A fantastic start, but things could change dramatically if England keep wkts in hand for Flintoff and co to attack the part-timers.

On reflection, I sound very pessimistic today. Let's hope I'm proved wrong.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The West Indies team chasing is much better than the team setting a total, like England.

 

[wpdavid]

Tricky situation for Key now. He's not at his best attacking the slower stuff, but he'll need to liven up before long if we aren't to run out of time.

 

[Tim]

Well Key did the hard yards & then got out...57/3

 

[wpdavid]

Well Key did the hard yards & then got out...57/3

Pity. This was probably a big innings for him personally, apart from its importance to the team. That's 3 failures out of 3 in the series, and that may be the last we see of him in an England side unless we reach the final, which looks unlikely now.

 

[wpdavid]

Incidentally, I was surprised to see Giles recalled for this one after the way the WI got after him in the Caribbean. I know Mahmood struggled on his debut, but you can't write a guy off after one game.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Incidentally, I was surprised to see Giles recalled for this one after the way the WI got after him in the Caribbean. I know Mahmood struggled on his debut, but you can't write a guy off after one game.

They're looking for experience because England quite simply have to win this game.

 

[garage flower]

The West Indies team chasing is much better than the team setting a total, like England.

Sorry to sound negative again, but I think that's more a case of being bad at defending than good at chasing.

 

[roseboy64]

The wheels just fell off for the West Indies.Couldn't be helped when you're playing a bowler down.

 

[roseboy64]

No offense to Flintoff and Strauss but that was pretty ordinary bowling.

 

[Blakey]

Finally they get Flintoff. Why on earth would they choose only 2 front line bowlers?

Hey with a fast bowler, do you think they get faster the more they mature? i.e. they will generally get faster through their mid to late 20's?

 

[Arjun]

The English are not yet out of danger...they have to defend this total well, at least this time.

Why is Lawson out? Surely, with his pace, he can do a lot better, can't he?