Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 16 May 2009 /

With better weather forecast for today, Ed Hawkins is hoping to see some play as England pursue a second Test against the West Indies at Durham...

19.23 WI 94-3 CLOSE
That's all folks. Bad light has brought play to an end with two overs left of the day's play. England are [2.32] and the draw is [1.61]. Still two days to go in this Test - plenty of time for the hosts to force a victory. We're back here tomorrow for all the action.

19.04 WI 87-3
You may recall last week we discussed whether Graham Onions was a typical horses-for-courses England seam bowler who would shine in friendly conditions and then disappear without trace. He has just shown that he has a bit more about him than previous flops like Newport, Mallender, Johnson, Giddins, Bicknell, Kabir Ali etc. He got hit for four by Sarwan. That's not it, though. Patience. Next ball he bent his back and on a slow pitch with a soggy ball, got one to leap and crash into Sarwan's helmet. Impressive.

18.47 WI 79-3
It's a surprise they've come back because the outfield looks sopping. But it is the right thing to do. Test cricket has to stop being so stuffy and remember that it's an entertainment business. Playing when conditions are not 100% ideal is a start.

18.33 WI 69-3
A surprising resumption. The rain has disappeared and the sun is out. West Indies are exactly 500 runs behind. Graham Onions, the local lad, is on trying to repeat the heroics of his Test debut. He doesn't have a brilliant record on his home ground. He averages 34 there. That is too big a figure really. It should be under 30 at the very least.

18.15 WI 69-3 RAIN
Time could be called for the day shortly.It's raining quite heavily. By the way, the eagle-eyed will notice that the score has moved on by one run. That is because the scorers forgot about a wide.

18.02 WI 68-3
BAD LIGHT STOPPED PLAY
Bit annoying for England this. They are out to [2.36] with the draw down to [1.65]. It's all change.

17.57 WICKET WI 68-3
Simmons has gobe. He has edged behind to Strauss at slip. James ANderson was the wicket-taker. He has claimed all three now. England are close to going odds on. At [2.08] - and the draw at [1.77], that day two wash out is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Shiv Chanderpaul is at the crease. Remember this is a 'home' ground for him because he has played county cricket for Durham. Shiv had a terrible time at Lord's so you could make a case for him being out of form.

17.29 WI 38-2
Lendl Simmons is the new batsman. He is another West Indian who struggles to adjust his technique for English conditions.He has a tendency to play across the line and his head will fall over to the offside. England must be licking their lips. Gayle's dismissal looks harsh. Hawkeye shows it was going over the top.

17.27 WICKET WI 38-2
It'snot Sarwan. Gayle has been trapped leg before to James Anderson. England into [2.32] and the draw is [1.68]. West Indies are collapsing again.

17.25 WI 34-1
Ramnaresh Sarwan hits the first ball of the restart for four but it was unconvincing. It was a thick outside edge. He is playing as if this Riverside wicket is hard and true. You may be able to spot that from his trigger movement. Instead of his back foot going back and across his stumps to get into line, it is moving slightly to leg. The result is that he is playing catch up. His bat is few inches behind where it should be - dangerous when the ball is swinging.

Play will restart at 17.25

17.03 WI 34-1 RAIN
It has stopped raining at the Riverside. The covers are coming off. We could be playing again in 15 minutes or so. Actually, scrap that, it's raining again.

16.50 WI 34-1 RAIN
It's raining at the Riverside so I've switched to Soccer Saturday. I just wanted to share this quote with you from Charlie Nicholas. "He's made the save of his life - and he'smade many of those in his career."

WI 34-1 BAD LIGHT
The draw collapses to [1.41] because of bad light. Ho hum. Mind you, that's a big old dip. Still loads of time left in this game. In the meantime, I'll switch between Test-IPL-football scores. I have my fingers crossed that Newcastle do not level against Fulham because I've backed them to hurtle through the relegation trap door, landing in the Championship with an almighty thud and breaking many bones in the process. If you've noticed that this blog has a slight chip on its shoulder regadring the north east, well spotted.

16.31 WI 33-1
Here's a stat for you: West Indies have lost six of their last ten Tests away from home when they have conceded 500 or more in the first innings of the match. They average 344 in reply to those monster scores, however.

16.21 WICKET WI 18-1
Devon Smith has been bowled by James Anderson. A bit of swing there methinks. Predictable that Smith wouldn't score runs after he bucked his historic form at HQ. England are on the move at [2.72. The draw is [1.56].

16.08 WI 1-0
Not surprisingly, Shiv Chanderpaul is statistically the man to be with for WI top bat. In the 2007 Test on this ground Chanderpaul made 136 not out and 70. He averages 55.8 in all first-class cricket at the venue. Along with Chanderpaul, the away players who have scored runs at Riverside fit a similar mould. Zimbabwe's Tatendu Taibu, who top scored in their first innings in 2003, and Bangladesh's Habibul Bashar, who hit a second dig 50 in 2005, have tight techniques and love a battle. Indeed, after Lord's the only three West Indies players who can be considered trustworthy are Chanderpaul (because of his record), Brendan Nash and Denesh Ramdin. The latter two proved they have the technique and temperament to score runs in English conditions. Devon Smith scored 41 and 46 at Lord's but is not worth your money because he finds it almost impossible to score a 50 - just 4 in 53 innings. As for Chris Gayle, well, who knows if he is bothered or not. I have a sneaking feeling that he'll be desperate to do well after his comments in the week. Mind you, it would be impossible to tell from his demeanour. He has almost just run himself out, dawdling for a single.

16.00 WI 0-0
England have declared. Just in time for some overcast conditions, too. They are planning to win this game by an innings. West Indies top-bat market analysis coming up.

15.43 TEA Eng 569-6
It would be quite, quite amazing if England batted on after the break. So amazing would it be that there is a small part of me that I hope they do so I have an excuse on this blog to release all pent up anger and frustration caused by the world's ills. There is a rumour that England's bowlers have been told to warm up.

15.26 Eng 534-6
We are keeping our eye on that draw price. It should jump as soon as the declaration is made. Tea is about 17 minutes ago. I have no idea why I suggested it at 16.15 a while back. If there is anyone who knows when it is time for tea and cake, it is I.

15.14 WICKET Eng 513-6
Matt Prior has fallen trying to move the score along. Clearly the message was 'get on with it'. Stuart Broad is the new man at the crease. Lendl Simmons picked up the wicket. It was his first of not very many in Tests.

15.07 Eng 509-5
Test cricket is a wonderfully endearing, silly and traditional game. The 12th man had to run out with a pair of gloves to give the message about the declaration. They weren't even belonging to Prior or Colly, they were Pietersen's. He said his bit and then ran off, still carrying the gloves. I attempted to do some lip reading. I think he said: "Look sorry about this but I appear to have picked up the wrong gloves ... back in a minute."

14.58 Eng 503-5
I see Manchester United have won the Premier League title. Anyone care to enlighten me how much Liverpool have spent to win nothing? Do email at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk. Andrew Strauss is up and down from his position in the dressing room. When is the declaration coming? You could email me about that if you like, too. OoH, ooh! There's amessage coming out in the form of a gloves change. Here they come...

14.50 489-5
Nick Knight reckons England will bat until tea. That is scheduled for 16.10. Far too long in my opinion. We could get another 15 overs in between now and tea, which, say if England went at 4 an over, would give them a total of 549.

14.39 Eng 479-5
Prior needs 10 for a 50. We are close to the declaration point if I was England captain. And you can snigger all you like because if I had been in charge in the Caribbean, England would have at least levelled that series. Okay, I wouldn't have scored the runs that Mr Strauss did, so let's say 'coach' instead.

14.22 Eng 457-5
Mumbai Indians are as short as [1.76] now to beat Chennai, who are 82-3 chasing 148. Lay off now for sure if you took the pre-game advice. England's run rate in the last 10 has almost double to 4.40. That is in large part to Prior, who has 26 of 30. What Collingwood is playing at is anyone's guess. He is striking at just 40, less than half of Prior's strike rate. Get on with it man.

13.59 Eng 435-5
We should expect England to declare at the 500 mark. In the Caribbean in the spring they declared on 566, 600 and 546. They batted on too long on each occasion. In the last 10 overs their run rate is only 2.70, however, Matt Prior has just struck a four and the previous over went for 10.

13.49 WICKET 419-5
KP gone. Caught at point off Sulieman Benn. He didn't make his 50, falling short by one run. Not the best thing that could have happened for England's hopes of pushing on quickly. Collingwood and Prior are the men at the crease. I suppose Prior is not a bad bloke to have at the crease, especially when you consider West Indies are the only side he's scored runs against.

13.13 Eng 411-4
We are about to resume after lunch. England are [3.50] and the draw [1.39]. If England pout their foot down those prices should go in opposite directions. In the IPl contest,Mumbai have just gone odds on at [1.96]. For those who followed my advice in the match preview here, it could be time to lay off. Chennai are 28-2 chasing 148.

12.58 WICKET Eng 410-6
Lunch is seconds away and I don't suppose Alastair Cook will be enjoying it after falling for 160. He miscued to midwicket off Benn. Best thing that could have happened to boost England's chances of winning this game. Really, they don't need more than 450 so they wouldn't have had to waste time waiting for Cook to get another 40 for his double. After the break they should push on quickly and look to get West Indies in.

12.44 Eng 395-3
KP gets his first run in 15 balls. Sulieman Benn was beginning to frustrate him. Cook's 150 is his first in Tests. The weather remains pretty good. Unfortunately the sun has brought out its fair share of loons dressed in fancy dress. Saturday Test match cricket is actually a good way of sorting society's wheat from the chaff. Anyone who turns up dressed as a Flintstones character should immediately be sent to a labour camp.

12.28 Eng 390-3
150 for Cook. He's hit 16 fours. He could get a double here. West Indies look wholly uninterested. Really, they are a disgrace. Those body language probelms are returning, they look as though they want to be somewhere else. England should get to 450 and then stick 'em in. They fold like soggy cardboard box.

12.20 Eng 378-3
The draw price is coming out slowly. It is now [1.39] to lay. I think that is worth a go given our weather research and England's statement of intent. Their run rate is 5.7 in the last 10 overs. That is terrific stuff and so refreshing to see that they are aware they need to punch on, win this game and build momentum for the Ashes later in the summer. KP is batting in dreamy fashion. I am keeping my eye on Mumbai v Chennai, too in the IPL. Mumbai are batting and are going nicely at the advert, sorry, strategy break. They are 70-2 off 10.

12.03 Eng 362-3
I've had a look at the weather radar and do you know what? I don't think it's too bad. There are patches of rain coming across to the north east in about an hour but there appears to be no really heavy rain clouds on their way until about tea time. Have a look yourself here. Meanwhile, we're on Umbrella Watch. Every time the Sky cameras show an umbrella, England drift to [3.75]. When they don't, back they come to [3.65].

11.52 Eng 345-3
Pietersen isn't struggling with his timing at the moment. He has 20 from 11 balls. That is a strike rate of 181. He must still think he's playing for Bangalore Royal Challengers. Fidel Edwards is busy making a fool of himself. He was all fired up when Anderson was in and gave him a send off when took his wicket but seems to have calmed down with KP in. He has got his priorities wrong.

11.37 WICKET Eng 330-3
Anderson has been castled by Fidel Edwards, bringing an end to his vigil. For the best. Englkand can now get on with trying to win this game. Kevin Pietersen is the new man at the crease. I don't fancy him for runs. This is a slow wicket where batsmen have struggled to time the ball.KP loves to force the pace and hit through the line of the ball.He won't be able to do that here. He has struggled on such wickets in the past. It is almost as slow a surface as you would find in the sub-continent. And kp has a poor record there.

11.31 Eng 322-2
There is a 60% chance of rain today. Although how much faith we should be putting in the forecasters is open to debate. They reckoned that it would rain until about noon today and then we'd get some action until about 3pm before the heavens opened again. I'm going to have a look on some weather sites to get a better indication. Meanwhile, after an brief, attempted flurry, Anderson has gone quiet. I will not hesitate to tell you when England are making a mess of things.

11.18 Eng 318-2
Good news for England fans. Your team is learning. James Anderson is having a swinging time out there. He is not connecting much but at least he is trying.

11.10 Eng 312-2
Let's talk tactics then. My reckoning is that England will bat for today and then leave them two days to twice bowl out West Indies. That is the best way of putting time back into the game. They will have to get a shift on, though because there is rain around today. For a start, James Anderson needs to throw the bat, otherwise it is a waste of time him being there. This may seem a mundane period of play bit it is actually fascinating. Have England learned from their mistakes in the Caribbean when they sent in nightwatchmen, batted too slowly and for too long? England are [3.70], West Indies [280.00] and the draw [1.36].

11.00 Eng 302-2
And on the third day he said let there be light! Well, no rain anyway. It is pretty overcast oop north but we have play.

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