A Draw

Why so sad?

Yes, it's been a couple of days and some of you may be thinking this is old news - After such a good start, England only manage a draw with West Indies in 3rd Test!

Well, I've been sulking.


RP


Copyright © 2009 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Testing Times

I'm sat here waiting for the last day of the 3rd Test against the West Indies to start in anticipation. It has been an excellent few days with so much happening. England look in command but the West Indies give you the feeling that they won't collapse in a heap like England did in the 1st Test not so long ago! The Recreation Ground has proved to be a godsend, not least with the commentators who keep praising its 'atmosphere' and its 'history' and its 'location' and anything else they can think of (you'd think they had shares in it!). Strauss proved his captaincy by championing what became a 503 run lead, capturing 169 runs in the 1st innings himself. Collingwood pleased everyone with his eighth Test century. Owais Shah has fitted into the team well at the expense of Bell and Swann's bowling has pleased and impressed everyone. The worrying news is of Flintoff's hip injury and all the uncertainty that brings. England's bowling today to try and level the Test will be interesting to watch, not least to see if Flintoff plays.

So, just a mouseclick away, the pop-out player beckons, awaiting my command. The West Indies are 143 for 3 and rain has delayed play on the 5th day - it's all happening! Or not as the case may be!


RP


Copyright © 2009 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

That's better...

Ah, listening to the 3rd Test in Antigua on the radio yesterday at my parents-in-law, as England, led from the front by captain Strauss made amends for the collapse in Kingston last week. The sun must have been shining down on the Antigua Recreation Ground and you could have been forgiven for thinking I was in the Caribbean. The heating was on and there must have been some serious lagging in the loft because I was sweltering! I half expected to see palm trees, a beach and the blue of the Caribbean sea out of the French windows...

I listened, ball by ball as first of all England beat the dreaded 51 runs, then Strauss got his half century, England made a hundred and Strauss made his century and beyond. By the time we left, England were 168-1 and I needed IV fluids to restore my fluid balance in the balmy heat of Wiltshire in winter! England's reign continued whilst in the car home and then on the laptop into the evening. England finished on 301-3 and I re-hydrated myself back at the 'clubhouse' known as home.

A great day's listening but I must remember to take water rations next time...


RP


Copyright © 2009 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.