By English Cricket
August 20 2004

Third Test, Old Trafford: England won the toss and elected to bat - England 313-5 (Flintoff 72, Bell 70, Vaughan 66) Changes: England – Bell in, Thorpe Out West Indies – Dw Smith in, Lawson in, Collins Out, Mohammed Out.

4^th Test Match Eng v WI: Day 1 Review

 

England unearthed another promising batsmen at the Oval yesterday in the form of Ian Bell. Bell lived up to much of the hype that surrounded him when he first came onto the scene back in 2001 in compiling an entertaining 70 in his debut innings.

 

If first impressions last, then Bell does look the good. He has a solid technique and the ability to play shots all around the wicket. His temparement was the most impressive though. England had struggled most of the morning after winning the toss and deciding to the bat, and when Bell finally strolled out to the crease mid-way through the afternoon session it was 69-3 and he was joining Vaughan who had still to get off the mark. Fidel Edwards ensured that his introduction to test cricket would be no easy affair, as he bowled another fast and furious spell. One delivery that struck Bell flush on his shoulder nearly carried all the way to the third man boundary. Understandably the batsman was in need of some medical assistance after that.

 

However, he seemed unfazed by all of this, and soon was playing confident through the off and on-side of the front foot. His technique is as good as any in the England team at the moment, and it is easy to see from his solid defence why some have compared him to Mike Atherton……though with “shots”. In my opinion his innings was certainly as good as any played by the younger players drafted in this series, and as a matter of fact I believe has already surpassed Key in the batting ranks, who again fell to a careless stroke.

 

After the quick wickets of Vaughan and Bell in the evening session, the stage was again set for Mr. Flintoff….and boy did he deliver again. A run a ball 72 kept the crowd entertained as he plundered 10 boundaries from a powerless Windies attack. He is such good form at the moment, that even with the ever increasing expectation from the public, he still manages to produce the goods.

 

Going into Day 2, England will be hoping that a Flintoff 100 will be the catalyst to a score of 450+.