Test series - England v West Indies

[Pies4shaw]

Test cricket is back!

3 Test series, starts July 8.

[K]

"[Stokes] is poised to lead the team in the first test against West Indies on July 8 with captain Joe Root likely to miss the game to attend the birth of his second child."

(Fairfax)

Shameful, really. At best, not a good look for the game.

What he did was extremely serious and he was extremely lucky not to be chucked in jail. And it's not like he's been a model citizen since (e.g. remember his expletive filled altercation with the "four-eyed" spectator in S. Africa).

[Pies4shaw]

Day 1 was largely lost to weather. England all out for 204 (Holder 6 wickets, Gabriel 4 wickets: Stokes top scored with 43). West Indies 1/57 in reply.

The importance of VAR was evident on day 2. The Windies couldn’t get an umpire to raise the finger for an lbw but took three wickets that way on review. Suddenly, the finger went up three times when England started bowling. The Windies overturned the first 2 of those on review and only the third was upheld. Query whether the West Indies should have been forced to use so many reviews, of course.

[K]

Eng 204 & 0/15
WI 318

Stumps, day 3.

England trail by 99 runs.

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

England lead now by 170 runs with 2 wickets in hand. So its evenly poised. England want to get another say 35 runs i feel but they are 8 down. Windies did well towards the end of days play they stemmed the flow of runs and struck with regular wickets. I thought when stokes was batting England would kick on but suffered a mini collapse.
For england its an extra 35 runs to eck out.
For windies is to rap it up quick and chase say 175.
2 days play to go and fine weather on the cards at the rose bowl.
My tip england will get windies chasing 193 to chase.
Windies get bowled out for 168.
England to win.

[Pies4shaw]

It’s actually the end of the 4th day.

[K]

sportsbet thinks it's 50-50 now (with only a very small chance of a draw).

[Pies4shaw]

The West Indies won by 4 wickets. 6/200 (Jermaine Blackwood made 95 after they were 3/27 and Campbell had also retired hurt). Shannon Gabriel was MOTM for his 4/62 and 5/75.

[K]

I should have put money on the Windies before the second day.

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

England dropped the match 4 dropped catches there was should have held onto all of them. They let the windies off the hook too many times. The old addage catches win matches is true.
Interesting for 2nd test ive got broad coming back. Its played up at old trafford.

[Jezza]

Nice to see the Windies win.

[Pies4shaw]

^ Their bowling in the first innings was brilliant. As was their use of the review - 3 English batsmen given not out lbw in that first innings were dismissed on review. They thoroughly deserved the victory.

[Pies4shaw]

For the second Test, starting at Old Trafford tonight (Australian time), Denly is dropped for Root, Anderson rested and Wood also said to be rested from the 13. Broad is in the squad.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/53419675

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Rainy day in Manchester today day 3 may not be any play today nice few days coming up though England scored 400 or so runs and West Indies are 1/32 in reply day 4 looking good weather wise can England bowl he windies out twice in 2 days day 5 is fine weather too today though is drizzle all day surprise if there was any play

[K]

Eng 9/469d & 2/37
WI 287

England lead by 219 runs.

In search of quick runs ahead of another declaration, England opened with Stokes and Buttler, but Buttler was bowled for a duck. Stokes is not out with Root.


Intriguing last day in store. You'd hope WI can hold out for a draw here.