***Official** West Indies in England***

[TT Boy]

I just think 600 is rather excessive considering the wicket is not a road by any means and the West Indies batsman would not know whether to stick or twist with 15 overs or more to face, especially Gayle.

 

[steds]

Dire.

 

[TT Boy]

Century for Prior.

 

[Pratters]

Hahahha. Chris Gayle. What a character.

And well done Matt Prior. Century on test debut at Lord's. Special.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Fair play Matt Prior. Not the most challenging situation to come in to, but can't knock a ton from 105 balls tho.

 

[Ash_A55]

Well batted Prior

 

[The_Bunny]

Classy innings from from Prior
Now its all up to Bell.

 

[stumpski]

First England keeper to make a hundred on debut. SC 'Billy' Griffith got one in the West Indies in 1948, but he was a reserve keeper playing as a batsman.

Can't think of another keeper doing it, off the top of my head ... Kuruppu maybe?

 

[PY]

Well done Mr Prior, reminds me of Geraint Jones' efforts to be honest.

I'd just have a slog now, get to 560 with 10 overs left. Leaves 10 overs for Harmison and Hoggard to get a few in before the close.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I just think 600 is rather excessive considering the wicket is not a road by any means and the West Indies batsman would not know whether to stick or twist with 15 overs or more to face, especially Gayle.

That 15 overs isn't much less than England usually bowl in a session, modern day over rates - ugh.

Basically England will have to bat again unless they get WI out for under 320 or whatever the follow-on would be, so you may as well get the runs now when it's easier. Even if WI get like 270 or something they might hang around and score 450 if they're made to follow-on, giving you an awkward target. In this modern area run-rates are so good that you need to reassess when you declare. A low 500 doesn't ensure you get at least a draw these days.

 

[steds]

I'd just have a slog now, get to 560 with 10 overs left. Leaves 10 overs for Harmison and Hoggard to get a few in before the close.

Not with the precedents the umpires have set for offering the light.

 

[TT Boy]

Bell tons up.

 

[grecian]

Well done lads.

The light is getting worse there, so no point declaring, the west indies will just walk off.

 

[stumpski]

Well done Mr Prior, reminds me of Geraint Jones' efforts to be honest.

That's rather unkind of you.

Bell's 100 makes it the first instance of four in an innings for England since 1938. The second-day crowd are certainly getting their money's worth.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Bell tons up.

Pretty chanceless from what I've seen too. Just goes about his business when he's in good touch; doesnt always grab your attention but quietly effective.

 

[Pratters]

What are the highest scores by test debutant keepers, test debutant keepers in their first test innings?

 

[BoyBrumby]

What are the highest scores by test debutant keepers, test debutant keepers in their first test innings?

Athers said it was the third century by a keeper on debut, but no idea who the other two are unfortunately.

 

[stumpski]

Athers said it was the third century by a keeper on debut, but no idea who the other two are unfortunately.

I know Brendon Kuruppu got 200 on debut for Sri Lanka, and he was a keeper, but I don;t know if he was keeping in that Test. Just looking it up now.

 

[steds]

There go our chances of getting a bowl tonight...

 

[stumpski]

Kuruppu was keeping wicket in that match (against New Zealand in 1986-87); he also opened the batting and was on the field throughout the match. As to the other, Wayne Phillips maybe?