Buzzin Cricket

The words ‘that’s more like it’ have probably never been so appropriate. In their first innings since the humiliating defeat in Jamaica, England ended day one of the ‘third’ test against the West Indies on 301-3 with their captain Andrew Strauss making a superb 169.

It was the second highest score of Andrew Strauss’ career and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He did ride his luck at times – Chris Gayle dropped him before he’d made 50 – but overall it was an innings that reminded everyone of the old Andrew Strauss.

The England captain was positive throughout and showed signs of flair and flamboyance that had been missing from his game for some time now. He even managed to hit his first six for three years!

Elsewhere, everyone went just about according to plan. Alistair Cook helped Andrew Strauss get the team off to a decent start before he was caught at slip off the bowling of Chris Gayle when on 52. The Essex man still hasn’t scored a century in ages, but is you get the feeling that it may not be too far away.

The biggest disappointment of the day was probably Owais Shah’s dismissal. Ian Bell’s replacement was looking excellent as he made his way past 50, but then a moment of madness prevented him making a more significant score.

The Middlesex man attempted to take a quick single off Jerome Taylor, but the run was never there and the bowler promptly ran him out. It was a bizarre piece of running and Owais Shah was clearly frustrated with himself.

Talking of bizarre, Chris Gayle’s decision not to take the new ball straight away left many cricket fans pondering. Instead of testing Kevin Pietersen early on with the new cherry, Brendan Nash gave KP a gentle net to ensure he remained at the crease over night.

When Chris Gayle eventually turned to the new ball, Fidel Edwards finally got the better of Andrew Strauss who was caught and bowled for 169. This brought night-watchman James Anderson to the crease and he saw off the rest of the overs to leave England well placed going into day two.

As things stand, the tourists are getting themselves in a position to win the test match. The gambling people will be lumping on England at this stage.

They just need to make sure a score of 500+ is posted and then start thinking about bowling out a West Indies side that looks a shadow of the one from the first test.