Ian Botham: Well, the toss will be very interesting this morning. Its a rock hard pitch and the batsmen will enjoy batting on it. It won't give out movement off the pitch. However, it's grey overhead which means swing bowlers will get movement and that could cause problems for the batsmen.
Team News
Ian Bell has paid for his poor form, with Paul Collingwood replacing him at no.5. Stuart Broad keeps his place, while Matthew Hoggard has returned from injury to replace James Anderson.
Andrew Strauss continued his poor run of form in the 1st innings at Old Trafford, as he mistimed a Fidel Edwards delivery straight to Chris Gayle at short-leg. Strauss was dismissed for 12 from 17 deliveries, after hitting 2 simmering cover drives, one off the front foot and one off the back foot. England were 19-1 and Michael Vaughan was the new man at the crease.
Vaughan hooks for 6
With Andrew Strauss' innings coming to an early end and Michael Vaughan coming to the crease needing a big score, Vaughan and Cook, decided to play safely, picking up 1's and 2's where possible. However, Vaughan wasn't messing around and hooked a Fidel Edwards ball into the stands at Old Trafford for 6.
Thats good first job for Edwards getting the first wicket... But the bowlers are bowling like a ODI... 5.5 economy : Still no prbs.. Always 2-3 quick wickets is possible before 100
Michael Vaughan reached 50 on an overcast day at Old Trafford as he and Alistair Cook put pressure on the West Indies bowlers through quick running and big hitting. Vaughan moved from 41 to 51 in the space of 2 deliveries as he slog swept Dave Mohammed for 6, before playing a leg glance off the same bowler for 4. Cook had also looked in good touch, with a strike rate behind that of his partner.
Lunch is called with both batsmen past 50
Alastair Cook was not far behind the captain as he got to his 50, keeping up his impressive series form. The umpires then called Lunch with England very well placed on 155-1. Cook finished the morning session on 64* from 71 balls, while Vaughan finished on 65* from 80 deliveries. Fidel Edwards and Corey Collymore were the best West Indian bowlers during the morning session with Collymore's 3 overs being economical and Edwards picking up the wicket.
Cooks actually the quickest batsmen! cricket 07 is unrealistic England stil getting on top of the Windies even when they start strongly. great stuff Phil
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