England v West Indies, 3rd Test, Day 4

by Sofia Westaby at Edgbaston 


There were points to prove at Edgbaston today, with two West Indian wickets up for grabs and a reputation to shake off for Tino Best, whose 2004 dismissal at Lord's has been eternalised in cricket pop-culture by Flintoff's famous words, "mind the windows Tino".  But in a Test match heavily affected by weather, it was the icing on the cake when the players were twice ordered off the pitch due to poor light.

This added another bizarre twist to an unconventional day of Test cricket. The few spectators got their money's worth with the early  wicket of  Rampaul proving to be only the support act to  Tino Best's return. He kept his cool until, finally, sending a ball sky-high towards third man ending in an easy catch for Strauss, retreating from the slips.  Best's 95 off 112 balls showed maturity and control, making him the highest scoring number 11 in history and a global twitter trend.

In response to comments made by the former West Indian captain and all time batting great, Sir Viv Richards, Ramdin celebrated his ton by throwing the bat down and ripping off his gloves to produce a scribbled note, "YEA VIV TALK NAH", a 'verbal' two-fingered salute. Richards criticised Ramdin's form in England, saying it had "deteriorated", the response in turn overshadowing the importance of his runs towards the final total of 426.

England require 56 runs on day 5 to avoid a follow on, having lost wickets quickly.  Pietersen made a respectable  78 runs in his first Test as a  specialist, but minds still turned to his retirement from the short-form of the game.  This could be short lived, "I said I'd play the Twenty20 world cup if they want me to play", but the stubbornness of the ECB towards Pietersen makes this unlikely.  If rain holds up for another 24 hours the West Indies might just squeeze a victory out of the game, but with the forecast as it is now the draw is on its way.

England vs West Indies, Third Test, Day 3

Sofia Westaby at Edgbaston 

The crowds returned to Edgbaston, bringing with them cold but dry weather and a sense of anticipation, England would have expected to take more than just the wicket of Powell in the morning session, having put the West Indies into bat. Instead the West Indies remained commendably disciplined, never being drawn into playing wild shots and fully utilising well timed drives, sending the ground into raptous song by the 16th over. 

Graham Onions, returning to the side after a two year absence from home Test matches plagued with injury, fell victim to Ian Bell's buttery fingers, twice having a simple slip catch being dropped. Bell, incidentally, stood in the foot holes of Anderson at third slip, a cruel reminder of the safe hands usually there.

Bresnan and Onions pulled the game back into England's control with a sucession of wickets after lunch, leaving the West Indies 164-5 at tea. The game offered up little hope that either team will get a result, with both chipping away at one another, England not taking all 10 wickets in the day and the West Indies total is not sufficient for a three day game, ending at 280-8 after 98 overs. 

Despite the stalemate, the contest for the third seamer position continues to add extra dimensions, pace man Finn worked tirelessly to get bounce from the pitch and was rewarded with two wickets. The place is likely to stay with Bresnan, but rotation would be a sensible consideration particularly for overseas trips, where the flat wickets will suit Finn's bowling. Of course Chris Tremlett needs also to be added to the mix, as he begins to return from injury. Anderson and Broad left big shoes to fill and whilst this new look attack can be deployed here, the dimensions added to the side, both in bowling and fielding, by the missing duo are essential for success, regardless of what Onions and Finn bring to the table. 

England vs West Indies, Third Test, Day 2

Sofia Westaby at Edgbaston 

The most action the day two square at Edgbaston has been subject to is the periodic rolling and unrolling of the covers, offering momentary glimmers of hope that some cricket might be on its way, but alas the umbrellas stayed up. With the rain easing over night, a small window for cricket is likely today, offering up an exciting battle between scoring quickly and getting the all important wickets. No wonder the top order batsmen braved the short trip across the ever growing puddles accumulating on the outfield towards the to the indoor nets. 

The dominance of the West Indian batsmen in the net session before lunch reflected the desperate hope to overcome the problems of Lord's and Trent Bridge where the top order collapse easily and the lower order is unable to stick around and support the likes of Chanderpaul, Samuels and Sammy. Powell set up camp in lane 3 fully focused and intent on facing everything the bowling machine could offer, cutting and driving balls away, much to the delight of the small number of ticket holders sheltering from the stormy conditions. Powell will be conscious of the need to perform, having only past double figures once on this tour. 

Perhaps an even more telling sign of the West Indies desperation to support their middle order was Tino Best's in depth coaching session from Toby Raford, who halted Best between balls, readjusting his head and back foot positioning, surely on what is supposed to day 2, it is to late to be adjusting fundamental balance, positioning and movement? Best will be wanting to put his best foot forward, having been left out of the West Indies side who played at Edgbaston in 2004 and not having had a Test call up since 2009. He will be very aware that a damp Edgbaston pitch is not ideal for a pace bowler, and must make his mark else where.

In stark contrast to the West Indies, opener Alastair Cook looked comfortable and calm whilst working repeatedly on his sweep shot so as to direct the ball forcefully down to the fine leg boundary. Jonny Bairstow is the only England batsman who will feel he has something to prove, hiding the nerves below a confident exterior. This maybe being described as 'dead Test', but both sides still feel they have things to prove, here's hoping the weather will let up and the battle will unfold.