*Official* England in West Indies

[Woodster]

Owais Shah will get the chance to show what he can do in the Tour opener against St Kitts today. Expected that he'll come in at 5, and pretty much be in direct competition with Ian Bell who will keep his place at 3. Still a fan of Ian Bell and keeping my fingers crossed that he shows a hunger for big runs on this tour, and learns they don't always have to be pretty runs. No harm in a bit of healthy competition with Shah who deserves to get a chance to impress.

 

[Woodster]

Glad to see an eleven vs eleven game, gives the feel of a more serious game when this format is chosen.

With both Rashid and Panesar turning the ball the same way, wonder if it's a shoot out between these two as to who may partner Swann if two spinners are selected at one of the venues.

 

[superkingdave]

Strauss gets a second ball duck to start his reign...

 

[Woodster]

Not a great start for the skipper. Come on Belly!

 

[TT Boy]

Shame there is only hourly updates.

Hope Bell fails and Shah does the business even though I don't rate him that highly and don't think he is England's answer to number 3 (Vaughan for the Ashes...).

 

[superkingdave]

Yeah, its hardly difficult to update a score. Shame none of the St Kitts radio stations are covering it. Hopefully should be radio for the WI A game

 

[superkingdave]

Heard its 118-3 at lunch, Cook made 52 and Bell 36

 

[Neil Pickup]

That's what Cricinfo has. Both Cook & Bell falling to Aikito Willett, a 20-year-old leg spinner with as much FC experience as me.

 

[Woodster]

Partnership of 96 between Cook and Bell pretty useful. No big score for either however.
KP off the mark typically with a slog swept 6! Over to Shah to see what he can do.

 

[superkingdave]

KP and Shah going along pretty quick after lunch. KP taking to Willett, moved to 48 already

Got his 50 now...171-3

Gee i wish i had Tim Abrahams' job

 

[superkingdave]

Hmm 262-4, KP out for 103 the ball after getting his hundred. Hopefuly Shah gets a big score

 

[superkingdave]

302-5, Fred out for 11...got dropped in the slips, hit a six then got caught trying to hit the spinner over the top.

 

[Furball]

Does this match have First Class status?

 

[Uppercut]

302-5, Fred out for 11...got dropped in the slips, hit a six then got caught trying to hit the spinner over the top.

Sauce??

 

[superkingdave]

Does this match have First Class status?

No, even though its an 11 a side, St Kitts & Nevis aren't a FC side.

and uppercut apparently its on the local radio over there but they don't have an internet feed so some guy who is listening to it on the radio is posting updates on another forum. Probably shouldn't give the address but there are links to it on 606 and Caribbean Cricket.

302-5 at tea btw with Shah on 80*

 

[Uppercut]

Thanks man. Good to see Shah taking his chance- hopefully he replaces Bell-end for the first test.

 

[superkingdave]

That young spinner has a michelle, Prior and Adil failing, Shah on 98...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Good to see, as usual, WICB willingly playing the tourists into form.

 

[superkingdave]

371-7

not sure whether they'll want to give the bowlers a go today or whether they'll try and bat through and declare overnight. Would have though Strauss might be interested in getting another bat (there should be a few others as well...bell/flintoff/prior) so they might be better served by declaring now, given that Shah already has a ton and Harmison is out there with him (still think Jimmy should be in before Harmison)

 

[superkingdave]

Flintoff injured (either a thigh or side strain depending on who you believe) out of the rest of the game...leaves England with 2 seamer for the game...wonder whether Strauss will renage on the 11 a side thing.

Harmy past 50...England 411/7