By English Cricket
August 16 2004

Third Test, Old Trafford, day four (stumps): West Indies 395-9d & 161-9 (Sarwan 60, Flintoff 26-3, Giles 43-3, Harmison 44-3)v England 330 (Thorpe 114, Bravo 55-6). West Indies lead by 225 runs.

3^rd Test Match Eng v WI: Day 4 Review

 

England fought back on day 4 to set up the tantalising prospect of a 4^th innings run-chase. It was a much bleaker prospect earlier in the day as England were bundled out for 330 giving the tourists a lead of 65 runs. There may have been the expectation that Thorpe perhaps with the assistance of Jones could see England off to a bigger score, but that was not to be as they were met with some fiery and at times erratic Windies bowling.

 

Fidel Edwards, although not picking up the wickets created much of the excitement, as he unleased a series of short-pitched deliveries in excess of 95mph. One of those put an end to Thorpe’s series, breaking his finger, though he was quite lucky that was all the damage he suffered. It did not, however, prevent him from reaching another test century. He has made a habit of making runs when England needs them the most, and this innings again highlighted why he was England’s most consistent batsmen of the last 10 years.

 

Once Thorpe was dismissed for 114, playing an uncharacteristic wide slash, the rest of the tail went feebly. Dwayne Bravo, who was easily the Windies most consistent bowler did the most damage with 6 wickets in the innings.

 

At this point, it was really the Windies match to win or lose, and at 88-1 it would have seemed all over for England. But, then again these are moments that tailor-made for players like Freddie Flintoff, and again he didn’t let England down. Not only did he bowl fast (in excess of 90mph) but it was accurate, and there was very little that the Windies middle order could do to combat it. Lara was completely undone by a short-delivery that was aimed at the jugular. Chanderpaul’s dismissal soon after courtesy of top-edged hook, ended the tourist’s hopes of posting any sort of decent total in the second innings.

 

Giles and Harmison were able to chip in with 3 wickets a piece, leaving the tourists at the perilous position of 161-9. England, given their recent form would fancy a run chase of anything under 300. However, the record at Old Trafford for 4^th innings chases of 145, begs to differ. They will have suffered a further setback in the realisation that Thorpe will only bat in the case of emergency.

 

Time for Mr. Flintoff to step up again………