
Little has gone England’s way. When they have put up huge totals, they have been matched by flair and consistency as West Indies drew level. Be it the Antigua Recreation Ground or Bridgetown, Barbados, the results have whimpered to a predictable draw. Even as the fifth and final Test threatened to head the same way, events at the end of the fourth day’s play at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad, have raised unusual hopes but not for the visitors.
When England scored 546 on the back on three big centurions – captain Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior, once again West Indies found themselves in a situation not unfamiliar in this series. After that sensational victory in Sabina Park, Jamaica, West Indies have been faced with England’s large totals on placid pitches and apart from the second Test that was abandoned within the first ten balls of the ball, the story has consistently remained the same.
There was nearly the case of sameness as West Indies fought back, riding on the injured skipper Chris Gayle’s century at the top of the order and Brendon Nash’s scintillating maiden Test century to go with Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s that also featured in the duo taking West Indies within two runs of England’s first innings score.
But the afternoon of the fourth day’s play changed matters dramatically and now if the pitch does not favour the team batting, there could be more interesting climax to a rather anti climatic series. England are three down with eighty on board and Kevin Pietersen and Collingwood at the crease. If West Indies can prove to be hostile as was the confrontation between Pietersen and Fidel Edwards, England could set West Indies an enticing total to chase on the final day. It will then be interesting to watch if the home side can then contain their excitement for an unlikely victory or will it be England who show some initiative and pull off a miracle?
T4 day2: Ravi Bopara Adds to Century Tally, England on a High
Is Flintoff Proving Boycott Right?
WI Eng T4 Day 1: WI As Flat as the Pitch in Barbados
T4 Preview: England Have It All To Do Against WI
Eng-WI T3: WI Manage to Wipe Smile from Strauss’ Face
KP Lashes Out At ‘Sleazebag’ Stanford
Andrew Flintoff: Clear and Present IPL Danger
Eng, WI Test 3: Strauss, Collingwood Centuries Put England on TOP
Eng-WI Test 2: Start, Stop, Restart - The Pictures
Eng-WI Test 2: Start, Stop, Restart - The Story
Boycott Dishes Scathing Criticism of England’s Woes
RCB Policy; Two Captains for one IPL team?
IPL Auctions: Mallya’s Mistake or Mindset- KP for Captain?
Fletcher Calls for Changes, Doubts Camaraderie
Mallya Eyes Honda; Not New Team for RCB
Ray Jennings starts his job with a disciplinary whip
The New Player-Coach - Stephen Fleming
Harmison Fears for Integrity of Umpires
Test 1: ‘Bolt’ From the Blue; Gayle in Gleeful Mood
Test 1: Gayle’s Gala Men Humiliate Strauss and Company
A Rash Move Undoes Pietersen and England Again!
IPL Auctions: The Predictable Four ‘Big Fish’
Troubled England Take on Transitional WI
Andy Flowers–Little Inclination to become “The Coach”
Eye on Auction; Trading Window Sees Little Business
Flower Speaks Up about Kevin, Assistant Coach Drama
Andrew Strauss gives Kevin Personal Responsibility
Strauss Fights off IPL Dilemma and England Allegiance
Andrew John Strauss– The Captain with a wee bit too much on his Platter
Flintoff - Unapologetic about Not Supporting KP; Trains Gun on Strauss
Why Pietersen lost his captaincy battle and Moores his coaching post
Tony Greig Feels for Suffering Pietersen
We Were Odd Couple, Admits Kevin Pietersen
Be Careful Of Dressing Room Divisions– Strauss Warned
“ECB Buffoons in Blazers” Declares Ian Botham
Kevin Pieterson in Strauss’s Good Books but not in Nasser’s
Warne calls KP’s Coach Call a Bluff!
Strauss Awaits One Day Captaincy confirmation