Eng v WI : Day 2 Review


By English Cricket
July 24 2004

Day 2 Scorecard (England 568 all out. West Indies 208-4) England are still ahead despite a more assured performance from the West Indies

1st Test Match Eng v WI: Day 2 Review

 

England despite some poor batting from their middle order backed by some poor bowling from their pace men were still in a good position at the end of day 2.

 

There was some hope though for those of us looking for a contest of sorts, as West Indians applied themselves much better through out the day and at least suggested that they may not be an easy a push over as day 1 suggested.


From an English point of view it was a day of largely squandered opportunities, Vaughan and Key aside. At 527-3 and the lunch break around the corner there would have been an expectation of a tea time declaration of 650, instead it was a return of the middle order of old, as they collapsed like a deck of cards to be all out for 568. The look of disbelief in the captain’s face as he watched the carnage from the other said more than words could.

 

Even so, 568 is an imposing total, and one would have to commend the way the West Indian openers went about their chase. They played with a great deal of confidence and cashed in on some wayward bowling which both sides have been guilty of.

 

The bowling of Giles was the big difference, and he was able to maintain great control and accuracy, and to great surprise to this writer managed to extract turn from the pitch. The 3 wickets of Smith, Gayle and Lara will prove crucial to the outcome of this match, and West Indians fans may argue that it was more umpire Daryl Harper than Ashley Giles were responsible for the dismissals of the last two.

 

From an English point of view, no one likes a good victory to be clouded by poor umpiring. Daryl Harper, on evidence of this match is certainly not one of the better umpires on the circuit, and his decisions at the end of Day 2 may have affected the course of this match.


Final Thought:

 

Again to reiterate for a person who likes a good even contest, I have to express deep disappointment at the Lord’s wicket for this match. Both sides are gifted with genuinely quick bowlers who can regularly get the ball over 90mph, and yet they are provided with a wicket that is slow and low, and would not be out of place somewhere on the subcontinent. It is obvious that ensuring attendance on all 5 days was on the ECB’s mind, but they should also realise that true fans want to see an enthralling match and that cannot be achieved with a lifeless pitch.