Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 07 March 2009 /

It was very much England's day yesterday with runs on the board and centurion Andrew Strauss still at the crease. But they will need to kick on in day two if they're to win this. In between mouthfuls of biscuits and cake, Ed Hawkins talks us through the action.

21.25 CLOSE West Indies 92-1
Well, will Gayle kick himself that he did not pick Sulieman Benn and make more of a contest of this Test? The home side have got off to flier and made England's grind to 546-6 declared look rather pedestrian. The force at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day was with the West Indies. Two quick wickets triggered a bit of gumption from the home side but it wilted under the relentless run gathering power of Collingwood (161) and Prior (131 not out).

It certainly looks like England will need their five bowlers. The pitch is not giving much assistance and the wicket that took a bit of the gloss off at the end of the session did not even spin. England failed to impose themselves in the field. The only problems Amjad Khan caused were to Strauss - he bowled four overs for 27 runs. England will need to apply themselves on day three. See you then.

West Indies [17.50] England [3.90] Draw [1.43]

21.20 West Indies 92-1
I've kept you waiting long enough for my final entry for the day's series . . .Top 5 favourite punting grounds.

No. 1 Headingley
I am not a fan of Yorkshiremen. Too grumpy, too arrogant and too quick to say 'we looove crickeeet' despite the ground being empty most of the time. However, the Test between England and Pakistan in 2006 made me fall in love with that small part of the county. There were 1,052 runs in the first two inning s as the draw price plummeted. But I was sure it would crumble and it did - England winning by 167 runs. Best of all, was the fish and chips I had in Headingley after the game. The best I've tasted.

21.13 WICKET 90-1
Monty is back in the team and back in the wickets. He bowls Devon Smith who plays inside the line of a ball that did not spin. The night watchman is Daren Powell - there is one over to go today.

21.07 West Indies 85-0
Before the start of the West Indies innings we thought England would expose the West Indies rather defensive attitude in the field when their five-man attack rolled into action. Instead this blistering start has exposed the visitor's lack of ambition with the bat. Strauss and co trundled along at 3.43 runs per over against a particulary unthreatening bowling line-up. The home side have blitzed 5.66 runs per over.
West Indies now [15.50] England out to [4.20]

20.58 West Indies 72-0
The top West Indies first innings batsman market has settled down now. We've already armed you with a stat for Gayle [3.10] who is 33 from 43 balls.
Now time for a couple more to help you form an opinion. Shiv Chanderpaul [4.00] is without a century in 10 first-class matches on the ground. While Brendan Nash has played just one first-class match in Trinidad. He made 102.

20.50 REFERAL West Indies 60-0
Having been hit down the ground for six Swan appeals for LBW against Gayle. Strauss REFERS - and is turned down - the ball would have missed leg stump.

That is both appeals gone for England now and to rub salt into the wound Gayle sends Swans' fourth delivery over the ropes for another six.

20.38 West Indies 41-0
Strauss turns to debutant Amjad Khad - who does not hold back and fires in some swift deliveries, around the 90 mph mark. Unfortunately the first two are no balls. The third ball was edged by Chris Gayle but the dies and lands short of Strauss. A single next. Now another no ball - might be trying to hit the pitch a bit too hard. A few nerves . . . eventful first over in Test cricket (nine deliveries).

20.29 West Indies 33-0
West Indies openers Chris Gayle and Devon Smith are latching on to some full deliveries and playing some expansive shots. The run rate is 4.12 and there have been five boundries in eight overs. But these flair shots will give the visitors some hope of a chance.
This confident start has seen the draw sink to [1.52].

There are 11 overs left today so time for the penultimate delivery in my series for the day . . . Top 5 favourite punting grounds

No. 2 Edgbaston
You can always rely on the Edgbaston wicket to crumble to make for a thrilling Test. Whether that be South Africa's nailbiter last summer, Muttia Muralitharan fraying England's nerves in 2006 or the famous two-run defeat for Australia in 2005. All three of those Tests had the market doing somersaults right to the last. Good stuff

20.18 West Indies 27-0
So what are your thoughts on the declaration? We've accused the West Indies of being negative today - but has not Strauss been also?
Here are some numbers - 165 and 153. They are the number of overs England batted respectively in Antigua and Barbados. They have batted for 158.5 overs in Trinidad. Did England need the extra 46 runs I their total of 546? I doubt it, but we'll have a clearer idea now England are bowling.
It is early days in the West Innings first innings runs market but 400 runs or more is favourite at the moment [1.30]

20.03 West Indies 7-0
Anderson appeals for LBW against Devon Smith. Strauss REFERS - but it is a waste as the ball pitched outside leg stump.

Early stat for you in eight first-class matches at Queen's Park, Gayle averages only 27. The top West Indies first innings batsman market has just opened for business once it settles down we'll get an idea of where the value lies. But with Chanderpaul carrying a groin strain expect Ramnaresh Sarwan to be popular.

19.53 West Indies
So far there has been just one team in this Test match. In the next few minutes we'll see just how dead the pitch actually is and indeed whether the West Indies team will be prepared to put a bit more effort into their batting. England's bowling line-up which includes a debutant and two spinners arguably tussling for prime position ahead of the domestic summer should show more commitment that the hosts. Mind you I imagine the catering staff at the ground might have shown more fight that we saw from Gayle and men.
With about 18 overs left today the market says: West Indies [29.00] England [2.70] Draw [1.65]

19.42 DECLARATION England 541-5
Spotlight about to turn on England debutant Amjad Khan. Well played Prior - he walks away from the action with 131 runs to his name - his highest test score.

19.29 WICKET England 530-6
Broad out for 19 from 28 deliveries. Baker grabs his second wicket. Broad hits out down the ground and Simmons has plenty of time to pouch the catch. No declaration though wouldn't you know it.

19.27 England 526-5
There are 25 overs left today. Time now for the next in my series of Top 5 favourite punting grounds

No. 3 - Lord's
Bit of an odd one this because it would appear to fly in the face of our 'isn't great when the formbook holds'. Lord's is in the list because the nature of the wicket changed, and it was tremendously satisfying to spot the switch. Previously Lord's was a bowlers' paradise - remember when the ball would swing like the 60s in those English domestic one-day finals? The change happened after 2002 when India's batsmen were skittled. Since then it has been great to bat and the last six Tests have been run feasts allowing us to plan our bets accordingly.

19.22 England 521-5
Right. Despite my rant England have exceeded 500 runs and have not yet declared. To be fair Prior and Broad are looking to attack a bit more - there is no point in hanging around whatever they do - so the next question is what arbitrary figure will Strauss declare at?
You can back 575 runs or more at [1.75] and lay 550 runs or more at [1.22]. Surely it's not going to be a question of the captain allowing Prior (121) to reach the 150? In the Top England first innings batsman market Any other batsman is now [3.00]

19.10 England 498-5
Baker to Prior. An LBW appeal - and it's given. After a chat with Broad the England wicket keeper elects to REFER.
Prior (109) gets a let-off as the ball is shown to pitch outside the line of off stump. Good spot from Broad . . . Prior was resigned to walk off.

19.05 England 491-5
Fidel Edwards will bowl the first over after tea. He is one eight members of the fielding side to 'turn their arm over'. Chanderpaul has been on and off the pitch most of the day it seems. He is back on now.

If England bat past 500 I might lose my rag. If you put your hand in the fire (Antigua) and got burned once, to do it a second time (Barbados) would be foolish. England are standing in front of the furnace again, and Andrew Strauss seems captivated by the dancing flames, the magical glow and welcoming warmth. His mit is outstretched. Go on, put it in Andy. I dare you. And reap the whirlwind. I fear however we shall see them bat on regardless.

19.00 England 490-5
Jatinder has been keeping one eye on South Africa. He emailed: "One feels that no matter , the result of this test and the home series v the windies, the outcome of the much awaited ashes series, is currently undergoing an alarming dress rehersal.
Mitchell Johnson, is doing a one man demolition job, broke smiths hand, smashed kalliss in the jaw...oh.. and took a few wickets for good measure.
Petersen aside, one wonders whether strauss & co will be as prolific against the slinger from down under...."
Well, Jatinder - I'm hoping Strauss learns lessons from the last Test and is prepared to be more aggressive in terms of declaring and setting targets. He'll need to be against Australia in the summer.

18.40 England 490-5 TEA
Plenty of runs scored in that session - 118 for the loss of one wicket but you could not describe it as dynamic out there. Draw layers and England backers need not worry about this steady accumulation and the effect it is having on the market. England - to put it lightly - have more invested in making something of this game and should put in a bit more effort in the bowling and fielding department.
West Indies [36.00] England [2.68] Draw [1.64]

18.35 England 487-5
Broad steps to the crease with England now [2.64]. England backers should be pleased it was Collingwood that was the one to go. Prior should be a little more aggressive now he's batting with the tail. I'm not convinced we'll see a declaration but would like to see a flurry of runs once the psychological 500-mark is reached.
England to score 550 runs or more is now favourite [1.40] in the first innings runs market.

18.24 WICKET England 486-5
Baker to Collingwood and there is an appeal for LBW. It's turned down by Russell Tiffin. Gayle makes a REFERAL.

Appeal upheld. Lionel Baker gets his first Test wicket and Collingwood goes after making an impressive 161 from 288 balls. The partnership which re-established England's dominance after sprightly start by the home side this morning was worth 218 runs.

18.18 England 481-4
Stumping opportunity. Collingwood survives a sharp bit of keeping from Denesh Ramdin. Seems to be hot work out there. The referral gives the players a chance for another drink.

18.15 England 477-4
Friend of the blog Captain_S emails to say: "Tim Ambrose did not do much wrong, 76 not out in the fourth Test but Prior's comeback century surely puts him in poll position for the rest of the Summer. Love the celebration was he suggesting the West Indies attack was child's play?"
What did you make of the Prior celebration? or for that matter his position in the England team. Email me at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk

18.04 England 467-4
Matt Prior notches a well deserved century. He has looked like a batsman today and scored his runs at a good rate 100 from 156 deliveries. Nice to reach the ton wearing a cap and a nice understated celebration. He rocked his bat - reference to his new baby?

17.54 England 458-4
Collingwood moves onto 150 - typical knock, there were 11 fours in the total. It is a little unfair to suggest that even my flatmate might be able to score some runs under this 'hostile' West Indies attack . . . and he is useless at all sport.

17.50 England 450-4
Sorry to get all literary but Robert Browning once said: "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Well Chris Gayle has introduced Lendl Simmons into the attack. It suggests captain Gayle's aspirations are not that high. But we knew that already didn't we?

17.40 England 442-4 DRINKS
So who doubted Collingwood then? A four off the last delivery of the over sends our man into pole position in the top batsman stakes.

England are dominant - but it would be nice to see them up drive home the advantage. Something else that would be nice would be a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit. I'd better get to work putting the kettle on.
West Indies [26.00] England [2.60] Draw [1.69]

17.35 England 427-4
While we wait for England to up the tempo I thought I would share the next in my Top 5 favourite punting grounds. Let me know your thoughts at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk

No. 4 - Adelaide
The Adelaide Oval is one of the best batting wickets in the world. If not the best. In the last six Tests there, the side batting first has scored more than 500 four times. But this does not make for a dull and dreary betting heat. Far from it. There have been only two draws in the last 10 as Australia and then England have suffered the indignity of making the second and third highest first innings total to lose in Tests.

17.25 England 420-4
The England batsmen look comfortable and the score is ticking over nicely - this current partnership is now worth 152. I am a little nervous about mentioning this but do you remember our Collingwood top runscorer bet? Well the Durham batsman is now 128 (remember Strauss leads with 142). More importantly his odds have tumbled - you can now back him at just [1.43]

17.16 England 416-4
The West Indies boosted their batting but they are clearly concerned that injured Shivarine Chanderpaul (groin strain) might have to bat too far down the order if he spends too long off the field of play. For that reason Gayle has been trying to place him where he won't be too exposed. A spell as slip has proved an error. The lynch-pin, who is not moving well, dropped Prior as he tried to cut a Hinds delivery.

17.05 England 396-4
Okay we've had a few of overs since lunch so its sit rep time. The field is spread and Prior feels comfortable enough to dispense with his helmet and opt for the cap. I applaud him for his sartorial choice alone. If I played for England I'd like to think I'd bat in my cap no matter what the pitch or who was bowling. It's a point of pride. Afterall did not Englishmen of old not climb mountains and nearly reach the South Pole dressed in nothing but tweed and hand-knitted cardigans. I do know . . . how standards have slipped.
Talking of slips. There is only one in place.
The draw is [1.79] to lay. England can be backed at [2.46]. I've just had a bit of a top up on England if you are interested.

16.50 England 374-4
Before lunch I said I would list my Top 5 favourite punting grounds. We'll here we go . . .

No. 5 - Cape Town
I have been to Cape Town's lovely Newlands ground. I say lovely, the view of Table Mountain is great but alas it is spoiled somewhat by a factory, pumping out bilious smoke and fumes. I digress. Newlands is great because South Africa always win there. It doesn't seem to matter whether they have a good side or a bad side. They win. I'm talking Test cricket here by the way. Of the last 17, they have won 12 and drawn two. The only side to have won there during that period is Australia, three times. The sides meet there on March 19. Topical eh?

By the way I have breaking news from the second Test in that series. Graeme Smith is almost certain to miss the third Test in Cape Town after he was struck by a Mitchell Johnson delivery and suffered a fracture to his right hand during South Africa's first innings at Kingsmead.

16.40 England 372-4
We are back. For about 40 minutes today we had a game on. But Collingwood and Prior appear to have sapped the life out of the home attack and captain Gayle has slipped into a negative mode once again. When spin did arrive the field was spread and the England batsmen were allowed to take singles at their leisure.
Collingwood (101) and Prior (57) accumulated 114 runs during the morning session and should approach the afternoon shift in similar manner. The likes of Swan and Broad will be all the more effective if they are asked to make hay from a position of strength.
England to score 525 or more first innings runs are [1.87] to lay.

15.58 England 372-4 LUNCH
Collingwood gets his ninth test hundred - from 206 balls. He's played a selfless role here. England went into the game with an extra bowler this time and it was important the the top and or middle order fired given the longish tail. This partnership, now worth 104 runs, has snuffed out the earlyWest Indies early pressure.

Oh and a selfish thought from our own vantage point . . . just another 42 to go to land top batsman honours. For which he is now [2.20]

15.52 England 356-4
I suppose it is a bit premature to be reckoning that our recommendation of Colly for top bat is going to come off (he is 89 at the mo). Strauss, of course, leads the way with 142. That is some way to go isn't it? Oh well, we can but hope and rest assured if he does get up to manage it, we won't stop shouting about it. Colly is [3.55] to manage the feat

By the way the over that saw Prior get his 50 was the first bit of spin we've seen today.

15.47 England 351-4
That's 50 and from just 52 balls and it brings up the 350. Fresh from paternal duties at home Prior looks determined to stamp his authority on the day job.

The keeper's positive attitude has taken the early initiative away from the home side and the solid looking partnership (now worth 81) he is building with Collingwood is the chief reason the draw price has dropped to [1.88]. I hope these two are together at lunch . . . because if they are that price will be lower still and I will be look to lay a piece of the action.

15.40 England 342-4
This Trinidad venue (Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain to be precise) has seen only one draw in the last 14 Tests. Reliable that isn't it? As punters we like nothing more than the formbook holding. That goes for any kind of betting. So I was thinking, late last night in bed as I struggled to get to sleep 'what are my favourite grounds for punting?'. I will be producing my Top 5 throughout the day and feel free to chip in with observations. Email me at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk although if anyone gets in touch making fun of the sort of things I get up to in bed, they can shove it

15.20 England 321-4
Just 14 overs into the new ball and Brendan Nash is brought into action. He bowled 16 steady overs yesterday for 47 runs. Today might be a different story. Prior is 40 from 40 deliveries and in bullish mood. This might tell us a bit about how confident England feel about their position in the match. It is surprising to see England nudging out towards [2.30] at a time when they are looking to drive home their advantage.

15.07 England 309-4
So one hour in and plenty of action. The teams are taking a drink and I might think about my first cup of tea for the day.

England will be far from perturbed by those quick wickets this morning. Best thing that could have happened. They would be quite happy with about 400 one would have thought because with the five bowlers and potential for spin, they will be more relaxed than in the previous two Tests, when they failed to take those 20 wickets.
England [2.26] Draw [1.99] and the West Indies [13.50]

15.00 England 305-4
Back to our first inning score debate. Prior is batting in positive fashion - the 300-mark has been breached. . My stats tell me that when England have put on 130 or more for the third wicket, they average 447. You can back 450 runs or more at [1.50].

14.55 England 299-4
Our friend Portuguese Pirate reopens the England batting order debate that will surely follow Shah's dismissal this morning. He says: "He waits for years for his chance and when it comes, he doesn't have a proper look at who's fielding where (the small matter of one of the best fielders in the world in Dwayne Bravo) and can't be bothered to put in a dive. Take a long, hard look at yourself Owais Shah. I wonder what Ravi Bopara is thinking." Shah will be disappointed and so am I for that matter.

14.40 England 272-4
So as England are two down now this morning let's have some fun trying to predict how many they will score. Email me at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk.

In the last 14 tests the first innings average is 262. We can lay 400 runs or more at [1.49].

14.30 England 272-4
West Indies batting lynch-pin Shivarine Chanderpaul is still off the pitch (he limped off with an injury yesterday) and Dwayne Bravo is his replacement.

Interestingly it was Bravo's fielding that trigged run out. Two sharp wickets, a new ball and the fielding is now really sharp. England went with the extra bowler so Collingwood and Prior need to buckle down a bit here. England remain a solid [2.22] despite the fightback.

14.20 WICKET England 268-4
Shah eased some tension with a classic straight drive for four but that is followed by a crazy call for a single. The red light is on and Shah is out. Draw dipped into a shade of odds on in the second over now can be backed at [2.00]

14.15 WICKET England 263-3
Fidel Edwards has been bowling pretty full in a bid to find a bit of swing. Strauss exposes his leg stump and is bowled behind his legs for 142. Shah returns to the fray and he's already off the mark . . . with that 29 from yesterday - that might relax him.

14.05 England 260-2
We're off and running. Gayle has made a decisive move. He's opted to take the new ball. Understandable leaving it until now as his attack should be fresh if not raring to go! We might just look to see how this ball behaves on the pitch.

England [2.14] to back and the draw is currently [2.04]. We'll watch the latter number closely.

13.50 England 258-2
Afternoon all and welcome to the Betfair blog for the second day of the fifth Test between West Indies and England in Trinidad. Our good friend Mahavir has been in touch with a starter for 10. He doesn't mess around that boy. "At what price any bet to be backed or layed? What about weather for the next four days?" The first thing I would say is that with the draw odds on, it is worth laying. I think this pitch will eventually take turn and with England playing two spinners West Indies batting last on it we have a result in the offing. To that end you might ask 'why not back England at [2.26]?' Well, I think the value has gone there. We got on at the [2.60] region yesterday so don't really need to go there again. As for the weather, cloudy for the remaining four days. No rain on the horizon at the moment. West Indies should take the new ball straight away.

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