By English Cricket
July 23 2004

First Test, Lord's, day one (stumps): England 391-2 v West Indies (Key 167*, Strauss 137, Vaughan 36*, Trescothick 21) West Indies won the toss and put England into bat.

1^st Test Match Eng v WI: Day 1 Review

 

If yesterday was a day that represented a window into England’s future, it certainly highlighted that there is really is no limit to how far they can go. In years gone by, a debutant into England’s team would almost be expected to struggle, but now two youngsters have been drafted into the side this year and both have smashed that theory. 

 

Andrew Strauss and Robert Key broke plenty of records in their 2^nd wicket stand of 291, but more importantly broke the back of some feeble Windies bowling. Brian Lara must be rueing his decision to put the home side in after winning the toss, only to see his bowling and fielding line-up squander the opportunity through a indisciplined performance that was not even worthy of a club side.

 

Nevertheless, runs still need to be made and both Key and Strauss were instrumental in putting England in a commanding position. Key although top-scorer, was out shone by Strauss, who has had the most amazing introduction to test cricket by an English batsman since I don’t know when. He displayed a wide array shots, and some of his drives square of the wicket were of the highest order. If he can construct innings of this calibre against the South Africans in the winter and the Australians in the summer, he may just go down as one England’s finest openers.

 

Strauss innings though should not in away diminish Key’s performance. It was obvious from the beginning that he was a man under pressure, and his batting in the first session was scratchy at best as he struggled for any sort of timing. However, the lunch break and the introduction of Omari Banks changed all that, as he displayed a good range of strokes and a confidence that has been lacking in a lot of his previous matches in English colours. His leg-side play was most impressive, and if he can improve his concentration and fitness, there is a long career ahead of him.

 

The final pleasing moment of the day, was to see captain get some of his groove back. Vaughan played a string of delightful drives and cuts to finish off the day, and give Brian Lara a worrying reminder that there is still plenty of batting left in this England line-up.