Strauss Celebrates Ton

By Adam Read
May 22 2012

England may have had to fight for it, but a five wicket victory at the home of cricket, is a perfect start to a long summer which will test their mettle and status of number one ranked test side.....

For periods of the game, which went to the final day at Lord's, the West Indies put up a stubborn resistance, but ultimately their score of 243 on first innings, with the ball swinging on Day 1, was their downfall.

However, they can take great heart in pushing England all the way, so much so in fact, that at 57-4 on the final day, chasing 191 runs to win the match, the home side were showing signs of nerves up in the changing rooms.

Only a stand of 132 between opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, put to bed any hope of a famous West Indies win.

The match also saw a return to form, for England skipper Andrew Strauss, who shut up those in the media who questioned his place in the side. His 122 in England's 398 all out first innings, was a sign that he could well be in the runs all summer long, and a great two fingered salute to the press box, would have been forgiven, but England's finest recent captain is more dignified than that of course.

All the plaudits though, will go to Stuart Broad, with his superb eleven wicket haul, ensuring he became the third England player to make it onto all three honours boards at Lord's. He followed up his century honours against Pakistan, with a five wicket haul in the first innings here, and then wrapping up another four wickets in the 2nd innings, to make it onto the ten wickets in a match honours board.

"We certainly didn't have it all our own way," England captain Strauss said after the win. "West Indies made it difficult for us but we are delighted to be 1-0 up. "We came here with expectations of winning and hopefully we can go on and do the same at Trent Bridge"

First Test, Lord's, day five: England 398 & 193-5 beat West Indies 243 & 345 by five wickets

BBC SCORECARD

England Joy at First Test Victory

Discussion started by England Cricket (IP Logged), 22/05/2012 08:20

England Cricket
22/05/2012 08:20

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:22:08:21:00 by SiteAdmin.

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