**Official** England in The West Indies

[marc71178]

Interestingly enough there was no change in seam position and no deflection, so I doubt there was a nick. Also, Lara is a walker.

It would have taken tremendous guts to walk given the pressure he's under though (not necessarily saying that he wouldn't have done)

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It would have taken tremendous guts to walk given the pressure he's under though (not necessarily saying that he wouldn't have done)

Lara has walked all his career and at all different points in the game. Given the West Indies fortunes in the last few years, I'd say he's walked under pressure before.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I would rather him on the England selection panel then say Rik or Richard because if they had their way Steve Harmison, Ashley Giles, and Andrew Flintoff wouldnt even make their respective counties 2nd XI's (the last one doesnt have much relevance just thought it looks good )

I understand the Flintoff and Harmison comment, but Giles? Yes, he'd make a 2nd XI for Warwickshire - obviously - but he shouldn't be an autopick for England given his record.

 

[tooextracool]

according to the cricinfo report this pitch is really really flat.cant wait for trescothick to "suddenly" regain his form and score a 100 tomorrow

 

[Adamc]

according to the cricinfo report this pitch is really really flat.cant wait for trescothick to "suddenly" regain his form and score a 100 tomorrow

In the meantime, console yourself with watching Lara score 155*+ and Sarwan heading towards his century.
Lara's average at Antigua against England is 309.5 and climbing.

 

[tooextracool]

i wish i could instead of having to read cricinfo's score updates

 

[tooextracool]

lara 157* at antigua....how ominous a sign is this for england?
hayden better put on his lucky pajamas before he goes to sleep tonight

 

[tooextracool]

harmison strikes....sarwan departs for 90

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

lara 157* at antigua....how ominous a sign is this for england?
hayden better put on his lucky pajamas before he goes to sleep tonight

If Lara were to break the record he would have to do it today, because he really wants to win this match and his column in today's paper indicated that he would like the luxary of declaring at stumps today.

 

[tooextracool]

If Lara were to break the record he would have to do it today, because he really wants to win this match and his column in today's paper indicated that he would like the luxary of declaring at stumps today.

but with the timezone difference its probably past midnight in australia now.....by the time hayden wakes up tomorrow his record might be 2nd best.

 

[luckyeddie]

This has been an innings of some character from Lara, because he still isn't really right on top of his game. He's got himself into trouble with the short ball a couple of times, especially facing Jones as he was approaching his 200.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I've been very impressed with Marcus Trescothick's bowling. He's really stuck to it well and gotten a couple to bounce sharply.

He also delivered the slowest bouncer I've ever seen in Test cricket. A pity it was outside legstump.

 

[Sehwag309]

Now, is this also a Flat Track?

 

[Neil Pickup]

Would it be fair comment that the West Indies were so scared of a whitewash that they prepared a certain draw track?

 

[Sehwag309]

Certian Draw Track?, How can you be so sure.

Lara Certainly likes England, both his 300's V/S Eng

 

[Sehwag309]

CONGRATULATIONS to LARA..

I wish I could see it LIVE

 

[Neil Pickup]

Certian Draw Track?, How can you be so sure.

Lara Certainly likes England, both his 300's V/S Eng

I'm not certain - but it certainly looks that way - all reports I've read suggest that it's very reminiscent of the track two years ago at St John's - where Ratra made his century and the whole Indian XI bowled.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

313 not out.

A masterful display from Brian Lara. That last six was huge! To England's credit, they fought hard and tried different things on a truly dead wicket.

He and Bradman are the only two batsmen with more than one Test triple hundred. Ironically, both got them on the same grounds against the same opposition. Bradman at Headingly and Lara at the ARG.

 

[luckyeddie]

I don't think that this pitch has specifically been prepared to avoid a whitewash at all - it's a typical St John's track.

Saying that, perhaps it is a little too batsman-friendly.

Still plenty of time left in the game - 105 overs tomorrow plus two full days. England will be pretty exhausted so I'd give West Indies a much better than even chance of winning the game at this stage.

Interesting to note that the Last time Lara hit a triple on this ground, the West Indies didn't even get a first-innings lead, let alone win the game.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would it be fair comment that the West Indies were so scared of a whitewash that they prepared a certain draw track?

Viv Richards asked for a flat track. IMO it's perfectly sensible. Your batsmen haven't performed and are very short on confidence, so you give them something to bat on and get some form ahead of the 10 ODIs, 2 Tests and then the tour of England. Andy Roberts did well.