West Indies v England 1st test

[Milltown1882]

8 down, brilliant fielding for the run out

[Gunfury]

Can Jack Leach actually spin a ball? At least he’s not been smashed out of the ‘’attack’’ like he was in Australia so that’s something I suppose

[tiger76]

Are we chucking them pies, 370-8 in the closing overs of the day, and this lead might well be crucial if or more likely when England collapse again.

To make matters worse Wood, the one experienced bowler has gone off injured.

[tiger76]

Lawrence claims a wicket straight away, get him bowling more lol. 372-9 but a lead of 61 is decent.

[Milltown1882]

Are we chucking them pies, 370-8 in the closing overs of the day, and this lead might well be crucial if or more likely when England collapse again.

To make matters worse Wood, the one experienced bowler has gone off injured.

Given our batting order with that Windies lead we’re currently about minus 35 for 4 in our second innings.

[tiger76]

Given our batting order with that Windies lead we’re currently about minus 35 for 4 in our second innings.

Tomorrow will be a true test of this England batting line-up no doubt, and apart from Bairstow's brilliant knock they struggled 1st innings, on this pitch patience is required plenty of time left in the game, so make sure you bat the whole day tomorrow, and even scoring slowly the lead should be 150.

[LeadBelly]

England's reply started - needing to make up a 64 deficit before getting into the lead.
Crawley was given out LBW in the 2nd over but overturned on review. BBC says it's the 7th review overturned so far in this match. Umpires not doing too well then- although I guess the review system is.
Anyway 13 of the 64 knocked off after 4 overs.

[Buxtonclaret]

There's plenty of time left.
We need too take a leaf out of the Windies innings and adopt a bit of 'Test Match ' Application at the crease.
Something England seem to have forgotten how to do a while back now.
Anyway, they'll need to bat for a good few overs, after leaving their best bowlers at home.....

[CleggHall]

Batting well 72 for 1 at lunch.

[tiger76]

Much better 2nd innings so far, now Crawley and Root need to make their starts count.

[Elizabeth]

Update : 124-1

Crawley 67
Root 45

100 partnership brought up

[DAVETHEVICAR]

146-1 from 49 overs
We have still batted less overs than the West Indies .
So no need to score any faster .
Tea Score

[ClaretTony]

Now 185/1 and a ton for Crawley. Not sure I can see anything but a draw.

[Milltown1882]

Superb from Crawley, he’s deserved that.

[CBT]

Now 185/1 and a ton for Crawley. Not sure I can see anything but a draw.

Agree,can't see us bowling them out even if Wood can bowl unless the pitch cracks to bits overnight

[Quickenthetempo]

Now 185/1 and a ton for Crawley. Not sure I can see anything but a draw.

We need to post a total they will try and chase. Maybe 260 at most.

Probably bat an hour in the morning.

[Milltown1882]

Those figures of their fourth innings totals are interesting. Get to 260-280 ahead and put them in.

[RVclaret]

Crawley is definitely someone we should be investing a lot of time into. Only 23, his potential is clear.

[Quickenthetempo]

Play called off for today.

[tiger76]

Finally England show up, great stand from Crawley & Root, but this looks like heading to a dead duck draw.

And knowing Root's caution I doubt he'll set them a gettable target just in case they were to knock the runs off.

[Milltown1882]

England set the Windies 286 off 70 overs. Will probably ride out to a draw on that pitch.

[Milltown1882]

Wood will play no further part in the test too. Get Jimmy on the plane.

[tiger76]

If England can pull off a win from here that'll be some effort, especially with Wood unable to bowl, he's the one who might have troubled the batsmen on this turgid track.

[joey13]

Wood will play no further part in the test too. Get Jimmy on the plane.

Don’t you mean Broad

[Elizabeth]

83-4 with 26 overs remaining

[CBT]

Poor reviewing from England
Thought the lbw half an hour ago was a must but that was no where near

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Another awful decision by 3 rd umpire suggested spike was bat hitting ground and not ball hitting bat at same time
So appeal for catch was not given

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Bit late anyway as no way 6 wickets can be taken in the few overs left

[Milltown1882]

Reports that Wood is out of the series and Norwell from Warwickshire will replace him in the squad.

[tiger76]

Positives for England- Bairstow, Crawley and Root scored tons, Leach took a few wickets on the final day.

Negatives- Top order struggling 1st innings again, injury to Wood, and Stokes having to bowl more overs than we'd like.

Difficult to judge either side on that batsman's paradise, and Barbados will hopefully produce a more lively pitch, and the prospect of a result either way.

[CleggHall]

Root seems a better, more-relaxed captain without Anderson and Broad!?

[Quickenthetempo]

England will be pleased with getting 300 in both innings, a total we have struggled to get for a while. It was an easy paced pitch but the West Indies bowled well, certainly first innings.

Leach bowled accurately if not with much turn.

Change the whole bowling department for me though and give everyone on the tour a chance. Overton is not the future.

[tiger76]

England will be pleased with getting 300 in both innings, a total we have struggled to get for a while. It was an easy paced pitch but the West Indies bowled well, certainly first innings.

Leach bowled accurately if not with much turn.

Change the whole bowling department for me though and give everyone on the tour a chance. Overton is not the future.

Mahmood surely has to come in next test, it might be a blessing in disguise for him that he's sat this one out, because you can only hope the next track isn't as placid.

For all the talk about Anderson and Broad getting on, Wood is now 33 and increasingly injury prone, so England do need to think about life beyond that trio, even Archer who was perceived as our crackerjack not so long ago is picking up a lot of long term injuries, and you do wonder whether he'll have a future in the 5 day format.