Report
Weather forces premature conclusion to Third Test
England began the final day knowing that a quick breakthrough by their bowlers might just give them an outside chance of victory in the Third Test against the West Indies
John Ward
07-Aug-2000
England began the final day knowing that a quick breakthrough by their bowlers might just give them an outside chance of victory in the Third Test against the West Indies. Although they took one quick wicket, this was not to be, but at lunch they looked well on their way to securing the draw that was now their only realistic option. In the event, most of the afternoon session was lost to rain, with bad light finally ending a match that had so much potential for a fine finish.
The day began with West Indies 381 for six, 235 runs ahead, in their second innings. Three runs were added before Franklyn Rose (10) moved across his stumps to be trapped lbw by Craig White. Curtly Ambrose (36 not out) played some lusty strokes, including a six into the sightscreen off Robert Croft, as he and Ridley Jacobs (42 not out) ran up a brisk unbroken partnership of 54 before Jimmy Adams declared at 12.05. The West Indian total was 438 for seven.
England needed, in theory, 293 to win in a minimum of 71 overs, a task that was never likely. The highest winning fourth-innings total at Old Trafford in more than 100 years of Test cricket is only 145 for seven, in 1955 when South Africa beat England.
Full postStewart and Lara make for memorable Test
Incessant showers on the first and last day ensured that the third Test was robbed of its competitive edge
Andy Jalil
07-Aug-2000
Incessant showers on the first and last day ensured that the third Test was
robbed of its competitive edge. But the fairy-tale happenings with
man-of-the-match Alec Stewart and the display given by a resurgent Brian
Lara, which held us spellbound, made the Test so memorable.
Needless to say the modest West Indies total in the first innings, in the
face of some fine pace bowling had gone a long way in raising England's hopes
- until the third day - of forging ahead in the series. As it happened, the
honours were shared with England knocking off 80 of the 293 runs that West
Indies had set them as a winning target. In the process they lost Michael
Atherton's wicket after a 61-run opening stand.
Had Ridley Jacobs held the straightforward chance behind the stumps, offered
by Nasser Hussain on one, West Indies would, understandably, have felt, if
they hadn't earlier, that had this game gone its full course, without the
equivalent of a day's play being lost, they could have been in a position to
force a victory. After all, had more time been available, they would not have
declared until a larger lead had been gained.
Full postTrent Bridge game looks destined from draw
Nottinghamshire went into the final day of their Championship match against Warwickshire realising that a home victory was the least likely result with them only 129 ahead with 5 wickets left and the Trent Bridge strip looking ideal for batting
Dave Bracegirdle
06-Aug-2000
Nottinghamshire went into the final day of their Championship match against Warwickshire realising that a home victory was the least likely result with them only 129 ahead with 5 wickets left and the Trent Bridge strip looking ideal for batting.
Darren Bicknell and Chris Read the overnight not out batsmen extended their partrnership to 49 for the sixth wicket before Allan Donald struck with his first wicket of the innings. Bicknell, who batted at number 7 due to back problems had made a resolute 25 before attempting to square cut the pace ace. The speed of the delivery produced a thick top edge and Ashley Giles, on the third man boundary, took a straightforward catch.
Paul Franks joined Read and helped put on 31 before he fell to Dougie Brown, edging to Dominic Ostler at second slip.
Full postMagnificent exhibition of batting by Lara
It has been said that of the many facets presented by the game of cricket, batting is the one most distinctly enjoyable and instinctively delightful
Andy Jalil
06-Aug-2000
It has been said that of the many facets presented by the game of cricket,
batting is the one most distinctly enjoyable and instinctively delightful.
This would undoubtedly apply when one witnesses the work of Brian Lara at the
crease.
His innings at Old Trafford today will certainly be on the list of great
innings seen in Test cricket and it came at a time when West Indies, despite
the excellent stand for the first two wickets, had not got themselves out of
the mire. The pressure was very much on, the large first innings deficit of
146 had not quite been wiped off, they were still a run behind when Lara came
to the wicket.
He lost Adrian Griffith soon but the tall opening batsman had played his role
in giving a solid start. He had batted for well over four hours for his
half-century. Jimmy Adams joined Lara and the situation now called for
determined batting, the feature of which had to be solid application while
ensuring that the scoreboard kept ticking over fairly rapidly. And for this
the tourists had, arguably, the two best men in cricket, at the crease.
Full postCentury for Lara as West Indies fight back
A century of moods by Brian Lara has enabled the West Indies to fight back strongly in the Third Test against England
John Ward
06-Aug-2000
A century of moods by Brian Lara has enabled the West Indies to fight back
strongly in the Third Test against England. At tea on the third day, the
tourists have reached 305 for four, a lead of 159, with six wickets still in
hand, an intriguing position.
West Indies continued from their overnight score of 131 in the second innings, 15 runs behind England. A quiet opening half-hour ended with the dismissal of Wavell Hinds (25), driving rather loosely at Gough to be caught at the wicket, a genuine dismissal for the hitherto unlucky West Indian this time. West Indies were 145 for two, one run behind England, and Lara strode to the crease.
Adrian Griffith moved anonymously to his fifty, which took him just over four hours, but was then trapped lbw for 54, playing across the line to Robert Croft; 164 for three. Lara struggled for a long time to find his touch, but fought it out and the runs came, however unconvincingly. He suddenly danced down the pitch to hit Croft for a superb straight six and from that point on began to play his strokes with greater freedom and timing. By lunch, in partnership with Jimmy Adams (7), he had taken the West Indian lead to 65 with seven wickets in hand, the match as finely balanced as ever. The score was 211 for three.
Full postExciting finish in prospect after Lara century
England began the fourth day in the knowledge that a quick breakthrough would give them an excellent chance to record a victory over the West Indies and take a two-one lead in the five-match series
John Ward
06-Aug-2000
England began the fourth day in the knowledge that a quick breakthrough
would give them an excellent chance to record a victory over the West Indies
and take a two-one lead in the five-match series. Instead, a century of
moods by Brian Lara played the main part in enabling the West Indies to
fight back strongly.
By close of play, West Indies had progressed to 381 for six, 235 runs ahead, investing the final day with the potential to produce a finish as wonderful as that of the Lord's Test.
West Indies continued from their overnight score of 131 in the second innings, 15 runs behind England. A quiet opening half-hour ended with the dismissal of Wavell Hinds (25), driving rather loosely at Gough to be caught at the wicket, a genuine dismissal for the hitherto unlucky West Indian this time. West Indies were 145 for two, one run behind England, and Lara strode to the crease.
Full postLara's Magnificent Return
The day started with the West Indies still in deficit by 15 runs but with nine 2nd innings wickets still in hand
Colin Croft
06-Aug-2000
The day started with the West Indies still in deficit by 15 runs but with nine 2nd innings wickets still in hand. It ended with them well in control and leading by 235 with four wickets still in hand and a day to go. This transformation came with the determined and consistent efforts that captain Jimmy Adams had been asking for from his team, and especially his batsmen.
While Adams himself, Sherwin Campbell and Adrian Griffith all provided some glimpses of the toughness necessary to be consistent, all with half centuries, it was Brian Charles Lara, with his first Test century in fifteen months, who not only took the initiative to the West Indies team, but literally destroyed England's bowling and most of their hopes too for Test No. 3.
Lara was so intent on this success, achieved with a sore hamstring muscle and perhaps in about 75 % of form, that he not only bludgeoned the English bowling on the field, but did the same to the West Indies reserve bowlers, Nixon McLean and Corey Colleymore, in the practice nets at lunch time too. Not out on 49 at lunch, Lara had a "net", for 25 of the 40 minute break, instead of having lunch. Amazing really, when one remembers that this guy has been accused by many at not being committed to West Indies cricket. What a retort he has played for his critics, batting with a distinct injury and no proper food.
Full postLara helps extend West Indies lead
A quiet morning's play saw West Indies add 80 runs to their total for the loss of two wickets
John Ward
06-Aug-2000
A quiet morning's play saw West Indies add 80 runs to their total for the
loss of two wickets. 'Quiet' is a word perhaps not often used of a session
during which Brian Lara scored 49 runs, but only just before the interval
did the great man appear to be finding his true form.
West Indies continued from their overnight score of 131 in the second innings, 15 runs behind England. A quiet opening half-hour ended with the dismissal of Wavell Hinds (25), driving rather loosely at Gough to be caught at the wicket, a genuine dismissal for the hitherto unlucky West Indian this time. West Indies were 145 for two, one run behind England, and Lara strode to the crease.
Adrian Griffith moved anonymously to his fifty, which took him just over four hours, but was then trapped lbw for 54, playing across the line to Darren Croft; 164 for three. Lara struggled for a long time to find his touch, but fought it out and the runs came, however unconvincingly. He then danced down the pitch to hit Croft for a superb straight six and from that point on began to play his strokes with greater freedom and timing. By lunch, in partnership with Jimmy Adams (7), he had taken the West Indian lead to 65 with seven wickets in hand, the match as finely balanced as ever. The score was 211 for three.
Full postMcGrath and Hamilton lead Yorkshire to victory
Anthony McGrath and Gavin Hamilton dashed Somerset's hopes of taking over as National League leaders by inspiring a 32-run Yorkshire victory at Taunton
Richard Latham
06-Aug-2000
Anthony McGrath and Gavin Hamilton dashed Somerset's hopes of taking over as National League leaders by inspiring a 32-run Yorkshire victory at Taunton.
The pair shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 124 after acting-captain Darren Lehmann had won the toss and opted to take first use of an excellent batting pitch.
At 125-3 after 27 overs, with danger-man Lehmann dismissed for 38, Yorkshire might have settled for a final score of around 220.
That would have been par for the course. But McGrath and Hamilton built their partnership steadily before unleashing a savage final onslaught that brought 54 runs from the last five overs.
The Yorkshire total was suddenly 249-3 and Somerset faced a victory target that was beyond even their long batting line-up. They managed only 217 all out off 43.3 overs in reply.
Full postLancashire begin the final day needing 399 to win
Lancashire began the final day of this match needing 399 to win, but more conceivably knowing that they had survived one hundred and forty overs to achieve a draw against Somerset recently
Ed Green
05-Aug-2000
Lancashire began the final day of this match needing 399 to win, but more conceivably knowing that they had survived one hundred and forty overs to achieve a draw against Somerset recently. The pitch was good, the sun was out and the loss of nearly a day to rain had ensured that the wicket had not dried out as much as it might at this point in the game. Lancashire were also able to call on a batting line-up which with Fairbrother and Flintoff on form and Crawley having scored centuries in two of the last three matches, they also have the services of a Ganguly top Indian batsman who set last year's world cup alight and the Australian Joe Scuderi and the rugged Warren Hegg who scored ninety five in this fixture last summer.
Unfortunately that was the end of the good news for the visitors, they were up against a bowling attack that averages under seventy five overs to get a side out this summer and against which they had capitulated, chiefly to the pace of Alex Tudor, for just 120 yesterday. Tudor made the early breakthroughs disposing of makeshift opener Chapple early and then last week's centurion Flintoff with the power of his pace alone (although he was ably assisted by the almost black hole like catching of Ben Hollioake on both occasions) while Bicknell remained unlucky, but almost impossible to score from at the other end. Cricket may not have a ladies day, but the last day at Kennington remains firmly enshrined as spinners day, and Saqlain came into the game early on. Lancashire in the usually spin resistant persons of Fairbrother and Ganguly resisted well initially after the loss of Crawley to yet another catch to Adam Hollioake at his customary loopy mid off position. They stayed together until shortly before lunch when Salisbury's box of tricks supplied a ball to slice through Ganguly's defences bowling one of the worlds best players of spin to leave Lancashire four down at the lunch interval.
Lloyd departed to yet another Hollioake catch (Adam this time) to give Saqlain yet another victim before Scuderi emerged to begin a prolonged pause in the home teams progress. Each played well, as they had in the first innings, but each fell making the fatal mistake of believing that Salisbury is still the same fragile bowler he was when he first came to the Oval and tried to get at him. A few loose balls were dispatched to the boundary by each of them through the huge gaps in the attacking field, but Fairbrother swept hard to send up trivially simple looped catch - this time, novelly, to Ali Brown before Heggs momentary visit to the crease gave Sali his second victim of the over to put him ahead of Saqlain head count for the first time in the innings. Chris Schofield was winkled out by Saqi a few overs later to leave Scuderi with the support of just the two non-batsmen Keedy and Smethurst. The Australian managed a couple of clubbed fours as a swan song before he too surrendered to the inexorable march of the spinners and supplied a catch at the wicket to Batty. This left little to the contest apart from the question of who would take the final wicket, Smethurst who kept Lancs in the game initially with his excellent first innings bowling, cracked first and sent a high looping edge to the capable waiting hands of Martin Bicknell at mid off, Bickers raised his hands theatrically in triumph, Salisbury had netted another five bag to take Surrey's total to 13 fivefers in the season to date.
Lancashire will return to Old Trafford for three of their remaining four games in the hope that they will be ready to turn the tables on the champions who so comprehensively massacred them here, on a pitch their coach described as an excellent track, in the last game of the season. Whatever happened here they are still a good side (as they proved in the natwest trophy), but they will be eagerly looking forward to getting Martin back fit, and they and Yorkshire will do all they can to take the championship down to the wire.
Full post