By English Cricket
August 15 2004

Third Test, Old Trafford, day three (stumps): West Indies 395-9d (Baugh 68, Hoggard 83-4, Flintoff 79-3) v England 233-5 (Strauss 90, Thorpe 89*, Bravo 36-3).

3^rd Test Match Eng v WI: Day 2 Review

 

Third Test, Old Trafford, day three (stumps):
West Indies 395-9d (Baugh 68, Hoggard 83-4, Flintoff 79-3) v England 233-5 (Strauss 90, Thorpe 89*, Bravo 36-3).

 

A poor first session has all but ended England’s chances of whitewashing their opponents this season, and may have also handed the tourists their best chance at getting an unexpected victory.

 

The Windies started the day at 275-6, and England would have hoped to have wrapped the innings in a little over an hour into the first session and perhaps for not much over 300. However, it would appear they didn’t plan on any sustained resistance from the West Indies, and who could have forgiven them for such an oversight given how the series has progressed thus far.

 

Nevertheless, if England wish to consider themselves world beaters any time soon, they would hope to avoid any more days like yesterday. The bowling operated to a plan which was carried out which much deviance all throughout the session, unfortunately it was the wrong plan. England had decided on a policy of short pitched bowling to rough up the tail, however, instead of following up these deliveries with the standard short of a length to full balls they proceeded to keep bowling it short. The strategy did bring dividends in the sense that it bruised and battered several of the batsmen, and caused the abrupt end to Pedro Collin’s innings but the cost in runs hurt England far more than any injuries they inflicted on the opposition.

 

Still credit must go to how the Windies played, it was lucky at times, but they played in such an aggressive fashion that they invariably made their own luck. The attack, led by diminutive Carlton Baugh Jnr. nicknamed ‘Half-a-man’ by his team mates showed that it has more to do with his size then ability. He played a string out outlandish and at times outrageous shots in a quick fire 68. He was ably assisted by the tail-enders including newcomer Dave Mohammad who made an enterprising 19 including a clubbed 6 over midwicket off Giles.

 

Though it wasn’t all doom and gloom for England, as Matthew Hoggard again showed his worth to the England team with a solid performance, and he for one could be excused from the previous criticism of bowling way too short.

 

When it came time for England to bat, it was clear that the momentum had shifted to the West Indies in this match, and their bowling for a change was menacing. Edwards had Trescothick out for a duck, in all too familiar fashion as he pushed at a ball outside off-stump. Key, would follow soon after as he received an unplayable from Collymore, though he did himself no favours in attempting a cross the line flick. It would appear that he has outdone much of his good work in the first test, and any concerns Mark Butcher had over his place would be dissipating fast.

 

Vaughan’s dismissal left England at the perilous position of 40/3 however, a solid partnership between Strauss and Thorpe halted the slide. Thorpe in his customary fashion of run accumulation was an ideal man for the situation, and Strauss seems to get better with each game. His innings of 90 was largely gritty and unattractive cricket, though given his dismissals in the previous test it was reassuring to see that he was capable of battling it out when required.

The Thorpe/Strauss partnership of 177 allowed England to save some face, though the wickets of Strauss and Flintoff at the end of the day will have hurt them. Even so, with Thorpe still there on 89 and Jones in to come, there is still a good chance that England could build a decent score, however, they have lost much of the impetus on Day 3, and it is hard to see how they can squeeze out anything more than a draw from this position.