Cricket News

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

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

Incessant showers on the first and last day ensured that the third Test was robbed of its competitive edge

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

A century of moods by Brian Lara has enabled the West Indies to fight back strongly in the Third Test against England

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

The day started with the West Indies still in deficit by 15 runs but with nine 2nd innings wickets still in hand

A quiet morning's play saw West Indies add 80 runs to their total for the loss of two wickets

England went in to lunch on 253 for seven wickets, rather a disappointment when they had anticipated a strong strengthening of their lead over the West Indies

The figures speak for themselves

England probably found the going harder than they would have liked on the third day

This was not as euphoric a day as the first two had been for England with West Indies top order batsmen making it a little more comforting for their side which had suffered the torment from England from the start of this third Test match

England probably found the going harder than they would have liked on the third day

In a fascinating day's cricket, the balance swung from one side to the other almost from beginning to end

"Things really did not go according to plan

On the day that Britain was celebrating the Queen Mother's hundredth birthday, Alec Stewart had his own way of joining in the celebrations

After struggling in vain for an hour to remove the West Indian overnight pair, England finally broke through with a vengeance to take five wickets for 17 runs and go in to lunch once again well on top in the vital Third Test

Alec Stewart found the best possible way to celebrate his hundredth Test match: with a dominating century that took England from the brink of disaster to a position of clear superiority by the end of the second day's play

England enjoyed an excellent, if abbreviated, morning as they removed the West Indian openers for two runs apiece and had them struggling at 21 for two after 55 minutes' play

England enjoyed an excellent, if abbreviated, morning as they removed the West Indian openers for two runs apiece and had them struggling at 21 for two at the lunch interval, after 55 minutes' play