ST JOHN’S, Feb 16: England captain Andrew Strauss put the disastrous first test behind him as he struck 169 to lead England to an impressive 301 for three at stumps on the first day of the third test.
Strauss was ably assisted by Alastair Cook (52) and Owais Shah (57) as England bounced back from their mauling in Kingston to put themselves in a strong position at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
West Indies won the first test of the series in Jamaica by an innings after bowling England out for 51 in their second innings.
After all the problems with the ground in Antigua, resulting in the second test being abandoned, that defeat felt a long time ago but no doubt the batting collapse remained in the minds of the upper order.
It took just one and a half sessions for England to show that they are a much better side than the one that surrendered so meekly at Sabina Park.
After batting all day, with 24 fours and a big six to bring up England’s hundred, Strauss looked well set to continue his innings into the second day but a tired attempted pull shot near the close resulted in a simple caught and bowled for Fidel Edwards.
The game at the Antigua Recreation Ground had been hastily arranged following the abandonment of the second test on Friday after just ten balls, when the field at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium was deemed unfit.
The replacement venue, the traditional home of test matches on the island, provided a more intimate and authentic Caribbean cricket atmosphere and a wicket that offered plenty for strokeplayers.
After rain delayed the start by 45 minutes, England made just the kind of start they needed, bringing up 40 in the first eleven overs and forcing West Indies skipper Chris Gayle to turn to spin before lunch.
The largely English crowd in a ground that had been rapidly turned from a training venue into a test match facility, made a point of applauding as England passed the 51 mark.
There was a nostalgic feel to the game with the ramshackle stands, old-fashioned West Indian food stands and an absence of giant screens and umpire referrals.
Strauss has helped his team to achieve at least the first part of that performance - bouncing back from the potentially confidence-shattering defeat.
Fellow opener Alastair Cook helped put on 123 for the first wicket before Cook went caught by Devon Smith off Chris Gayle’s off-spin for 52.
Then Owais Shah, drafted in for Ian Bell, struck a confident 57 off 100 balls before he was run out looking for a quick single.
After Strauss’s departure nightwatchman James Anderson (3 not out) saw out the final overs of the evening with Kevin Pietersen (8 not out). (Agencies)
Strauss was ably assisted by Alastair Cook (52) and Owais Shah (57) as England bounced back from their mauling in Kingston to put themselves in a strong position at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
West Indies won the first test of the series in Jamaica by an innings after bowling England out for 51 in their second innings.
After all the problems with the ground in Antigua, resulting in the second test being abandoned, that defeat felt a long time ago but no doubt the batting collapse remained in the minds of the upper order.
It took just one and a half sessions for England to show that they are a much better side than the one that surrendered so meekly at Sabina Park.
After batting all day, with 24 fours and a big six to bring up England’s hundred, Strauss looked well set to continue his innings into the second day but a tired attempted pull shot near the close resulted in a simple caught and bowled for Fidel Edwards.
The game at the Antigua Recreation Ground had been hastily arranged following the abandonment of the second test on Friday after just ten balls, when the field at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium was deemed unfit.
The replacement venue, the traditional home of test matches on the island, provided a more intimate and authentic Caribbean cricket atmosphere and a wicket that offered plenty for strokeplayers.
After rain delayed the start by 45 minutes, England made just the kind of start they needed, bringing up 40 in the first eleven overs and forcing West Indies skipper Chris Gayle to turn to spin before lunch.
The largely English crowd in a ground that had been rapidly turned from a training venue into a test match facility, made a point of applauding as England passed the 51 mark.
There was a nostalgic feel to the game with the ramshackle stands, old-fashioned West Indian food stands and an absence of giant screens and umpire referrals.
Strauss has helped his team to achieve at least the first part of that performance - bouncing back from the potentially confidence-shattering defeat.
Fellow opener Alastair Cook helped put on 123 for the first wicket before Cook went caught by Devon Smith off Chris Gayle’s off-spin for 52.
Then Owais Shah, drafted in for Ian Bell, struck a confident 57 off 100 balls before he was run out looking for a quick single.
After Strauss’s departure nightwatchman James Anderson (3 not out) saw out the final overs of the evening with Kevin Pietersen (8 not out). (Agencies)
Scoreboard
England first innings
Strauss c & b Edwards 169
Cook c Smith b Gayle 52
Shah run out 57
Pietersen not out 8
Anderson not out 3
Extras: (b-6, w-1, nb-5) 12
Total (three wickets; 92 overs) 301
FoWs: 1-123 2-276 3-295
Bowling: Taylor 15-3-37-0 (1-nb), Edwards 15-2-41-1 (3-nb, 1-w), Powell 11-2-40-0, Gayle 12-1-35-1, Benn 17-2-62-0 (1-nb), Hinds 15-2-59-0, Nash 7-2-21-0.
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