Lara out to prove a point

West Indies 224 and 21 for 1 lead England 226 (Thorpe 119*, Edwards 4-70) by 19 runs
Scorecard

Brian Lara: cometh the hour ... © Getty Images

The third day of the third Test at Bridgetown will probably decide the outcome of this match, and much depends on whether Brian Lara can find his touch. After two wretched matches in Jamaica and Trinidad, he looked to be finding his form in the first innings, and was out on the ground early today to familiarise himself with the conditions. He had the look of a man with a point to prove.

The first session will be crucial. Neither side's batsmen - with the marked exception of Graham Thorpe - have managed to really stamp their authority, and runs have been at a premium throughout. Today will probably offer the best conditions for batting, and West Indies must make the most of that and look to set England a target in excess of 250.

Another full house - once again predominantly sunburnt and English - packed into Kensington Oval before the start, and there were a few more clouds than there had been on the first two days to give them some relief from the sun.