First Test: West Indies v England, Bridgetown, 23-27 Jan.

[Arthur Crabtree]

More words of wisdom from Alec Stewart who says the England batsmen shouldn't get themselves out by playing loose shots.

That's pure Boycott that comment.

Windies declared five short of a 300 partnership. I'm not going to do that.

Given zero wickets have gone down in the day, England should be thinking of batting this out. Taking out the risk. Not playing their natural game.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think there might be changes for the next game.

[captaincolly]

Credit to the openers for getting through to the close. Only another 572 runs to go.
Amazing to have a ridiculous number of wickets yesterday and none at all today.

[Durhamfootman]

well done boys. that 50 opening stand is as welcome as it was unexpected.

just got to keep concentrating tomorrow. I agree with Arthur... forget playing their natural game, just dig in and graft. No wickets in the day suggests that the bowlers will have to work really, really hard... unless England throw it away, of course

[yuppie]

Making the bowlers play for as long as possible has to help in the next test. Think ahead England, make sure you bring WI back for the 5th day

[meninblue]

202 from 229 balls by Jason 116 for Shane Terrific batting by WI.

England openers seeing of the new ball. Better batting to not lose a wicket yesterday.

[alfie]

Making the bowlers play for as long as possible has to help in the next test. Think ahead England, make sure you bring WI back for the 5th day

Yes that's about all that's left , isn't it ? Pitch did indeed flatten out , as predicted by locals - but I didn't see 415/6 declared coming ! What you get for picking two (not always reliable) spinners in Barbados...and negating your best bowlers (unintentionally , of course!) by bringing them back out with about three hours rest from heavy first innings workloads... Jimmy Anderson is bowling as well as he ever has ; but at 36 , despite his enviable fitness , he does have one weakness : he can't back up effectively when he's thrown back in the field that quickly. Probably not many younger quicks could either...

Good to see the openers didn't throw it away. Both playing for their places I guess though even if they get scores here I'm not backing either for a long Test career.

I do think this match is probably one of those spectacular "everything going wrong at once" events rather than a signal to sack coach captain and half the team ; but it does show that the optimism generated by recent success against India and Sri Lanka needs to be tempered by recognition of the flaws that still afflict the squad. In fairness I think most already realised that. Work in progress , indeed. Hopefully they'll fight back next week.

[sussexpob]

202 from 229 balls by Jason 116 for Shane Terrific batting by WI.

England openers seeing of the new ball. Better batting to not lose a wicket yesterday.

Holder is developing into a fine all-round cricketer

[mikesiva]

Day Two 18 wickets fell.

Day Three no wickets fell.

[alfie]

202 from 229 balls by Jason 116 for Shane Terrific batting by WI.

England openers seeing of the new ball. Better batting to not lose a wicket yesterday.

Holder is developing into a fine all-round cricketer

I like Holder. Have been impressed by his efforts as captain of a pretty ordinary team...not a superstar bowler but always honest , and his batting has always been solid - if not usually as spectacularly successful as yesterday ! Think West Indies did well to put him in charge : he could yet lead them back to respectability , if not the domination of yesteryear.

Question for the stats nuts : has a team ever before been set over 600 to win in the fourth innings , with more than two full days to play ?

[andy]

Holder can lay claim to be the world's best all-rounder now i believe...? Wasnt expecting to be 0 down at the close, and solid start by the openers, and much needed, still dont think it will be long before Jennings snicks off though!

[andy]

Holder can lay claim to be the world's best all-rounder now i believe...? Wasnt expecting to be 0 down at the close, and solid start by the openers, and much needed, still dont think it will be long before Jennings snicks off though!

[meninblue]

50 for Rory. Well played.

England 72/0. Huge difference to what happened in first innings.

[alfie]

Fifty for Burns ...good lad. Bit less passive than the first innings...

[meninblue]

77 all out first innings. 77/0 in second innings. Crowd cheers as openers take the 77th run. Funny crowd