A Day of Strange happenings

Nothing was strange about the team selections. Ramnaresh Sarwan was the obvious replacement for the injured West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while England gave themselves every option by selecting all four of their faster bowlers, Dominic Cork, Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Craig White, plus the off-spin of Robert Croft. Since Graeme Thorpe was returning and had to be selected, the other Graeme, Hick, was omitted.

The first strange decision came when the West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams, won the toss and confounded most by electing to bat first, despite the overcast conditions, the fact that England had bowled the West Indies out for 54 the last time the two teams had met, the pitch not being properly prepared because of the persistent rains and the final fact that the pitch was only cut moments before the delayed start. All of these suggested that the West Indies should have fielded first, having won the toss. The decision to bat first soon backfired.

Roger Harper, the West Indian Coach, after the day's play, suggested:

"We thought that the best thing to do was to bat first, since it could well have been that the pitch could break up somewhat in the latter stages of the game. Obviously, with us closing at 87-4 at the end of Day 1 , a bit of a disappointment, we will now have to work really hard, as a score of at least 250 should be had on this pitch. I would not say that the conditions did not really get the batsmen out. The batsmen simply failed to negotiate the bowlers well."

Sherwin Campbell, the West Indian vice captain, would have had some say in the decision to bat first, but he was the first to go. Graeme Thorpe, much fitter and obviously at least still as agile, if not more so, took a tremendous catch low to his left in Darren Gouch's second over. Campbell gone for 02, the West Indies 3-1.

Adrian Griffith soon elected to "pad out" an in-swinging almost half-volley from Andy Caddick. Griffith could well have given himself out LBW without even looking up at New Zealand Umpire Doug Cowie, as the ball would probably have hit the middle stump. Griffith out LBW for 02, the West Indies 12-2.

Brian Lara looked out of touch, but determined, while Wavell Hinds looked very much in touch, but was again out of luck. After the pair had fought to get the score to 49-2, both fell at that score. Hinds was adjudged to have hit a swinger from Cork, the supposed resulting edge gladly taken by Alec Stewart, playing his 100th Test match. Television replays suggest that Hinds was, for the third time in succession in this Test series, somewhat unlucky to have been given out for 26.

Lara, on the other hand, played a bit away from his body, Graeme Thorpe, at third slip, again taking a good, but somewhat easier catch this time. Lara's uncomfortable stay had ended after 88 minutes at the crease for just 13.

Jimmy Adams, on 16, and Ramnaresh Sarwan, on 17, and looking rather mature, managed to take proceeding to the end without any further loss, but certainly the first day of this resumption Test match, after about a month of one day cricket, was in England's bag. Nasser Hussain lost the toss, perhaps a blessing in disguise, but easily won the day, thanks to the only three bowlers used so far, Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Dominic Cork.

Duncan Fletcher, the English Coach, was generally pleased with his charges' efforts. However, from his comment afterwards, he must be a very hard task-master, a tough professional:

"I would give our team maybe 7-8 out of 10 for the day's work", said Fletcher. "Perhaps the West Indies made 10-15 runs too many in the time allowed to play (42 overs). Overall, though, we had a good day, considering that it was something of a surprise that the West Indies batted first, having won the toss. I would have thought that with their strengths being their world class fast bowlers, the West Indies would have fielded first"

Nasser Hussain and Duncan Fletcher must be counting their blessings, courtesy of Jimmy Adams. Except for winning the toss, the West Indies lost Day 1 of Test 3. England will certainly try to capitalize on Day 2. The West Indies, through, ironically their captain, would have to try to consolidate. A very pulsating day is expected on Day 2 after about 252 minutes were lost in Day 1. It could be a fun Test match yet.