Posted:
16th over: WICKET - Bopara run out (Bravo) 26, Eng 101-2
Alas - it was on the cards, and now it's happened - Rav takes on Bravo and finally loses out, ending up a good yard short as the throw destroys the stumps from point. Good knock though - Rav's had a good tournament, no? 15th over: Eng 100-1
In scenes almost as miraculous as the Virgin birth, Vaughan goes to his fifty with a flicked four fine off Powell. Overwhelmed with disbelief, he then drives straight to Samuels at cover but is dropped. That's it, then - he's going to make 150 not out. 14th over: 93-1
I'm struggling to believe what my eyes are telling me, and I haven't even been at the BBC herbal tea - Vaughan waltzes down the track to Gayle and boffs him with no effort whatsoever for another six. He's now got 47 of 32 balls. Just four days ago, I watched him take 20 balls to get off the mark. Explain that one... 13th over: 84-1
Ravi flicks off his hip with sweet timing for four, and then creams a back-foot drive straight to point. No suicidal singles, remarkably. 12th over: 80-1
The bonkers running is clearly a deliberate tactic - another dicey one ends up with the ball clattering off the stumps with Ravs just in and racing away for four. Vaughan then stuns all watching by effortlessly pulling Taylor for a monster of a six over square leg. Where was that in the games that actually mattered? 11th over: 67-1
It's powerplay o'clock, and Ravi tucks in with relish - first a clip off his pads for four and then with a pull through midwicket that had Alec Stewart written all over it. He then calls Vaughan for another insane single, is sent back and avoids being run-out only because the throw misses again. Five run-out chances, five misses... 10th over: 58-1
Vaughan, clearly a cricketer reborn after his derring-do with the ball, lofts Taylor over midwicket for two successive fours. He's rattled onto 33 - don't tell me he could could reach a fift... I've said too much. 9th over: 46-1
Vaughnie flicks to square for two off Collymore and then steals a single. Apologies for calling him Vaughnie there - way too familiar, and a nicknmae which just doesn't work on any level. 8th over: 43-1
Ravs drives Taylor through cover for two and a dabber of a single from Vaughan. The steady start continues - six needed an over and they're ticking along at just over five. 7th over: 40-1
Fordyce back in here - just in case you're still reading, Mum. Ravs drives nicely down the ground for three just after Vaughan almost runs himself out with the craziest of singles to Samuels, whose throw misses by a country mile. Or just an ordinary mile. What's the difference? 6th over: 36-1
A better over for the Windies, with just a couple of singles added to the score. Some of England's backroom team of assistant coaches appear on a balcony, but there's no sign of David Graveney, who is after all the long-serving chairman of Bo' Selectas. 5th over: 34-1
Vaughan takes three to midwicket, while the Windies are still happy to help the score along with more wides. A classic cover drive then sails away for four. A good over for England. Mike Gatting sits with Chris Broad in the crowd - will they be reminiscing about the good old days of 86-87? Or will Broad, now an ICC match referee, be explaining how he would punish batsmen who smash their stumps or refuse to leave the crease when given out? 4th over: 21-1
Vaughan and Bopara pick up a couple from some sloppy WI fielding, and then Vaughan swishes at a wide, before restoring his reputation with a good-looking pull to midwicket for four. There is a pro-Bopara flag in the crowd proclaiming "Puppy Power" which appears to feature Ravi B's head on the body of Scrappy-Doo. (Scrappy-Doo, now there was a bad idea that we can't blame Duncan Fletcher for).
3rd over: WICKET - Strauss c Smith b Collymore 7 - ENG 11-1
Strauss flicks one off his legs for four, but then ends his World Cup early by trying a similar shot which spoons up to Devon Smith at backward square leg. It's 11-1. Mr Bopara, your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to justify your promotion to number three. He plays out the remainder of the over. 2nd over: 5-0
Daren Powell opens with a loose one on the off side which Strauss tickles down to third man to bring his skipper on strike for the first time. A couple more singles are added to the score, while Vaughan worryingly plays and misses twice outside off-stump. Website users, there's a new Big Green Monster vote for you - who's England's player of the tournament?
Same again from Fred, except this time the throw's overarm and back at the non-striker's stumps. Good finish from England after that woeful start and dodgy middle - they'll need 301 to win. See you in 20 minutes... 50th over: WICKET - Powell run out (Flintoff) 0, WI 298-9
Super yorker from Fred, Powell hares down from the non-striker's end and Fred casually underarms the stumps down. 49th over: WICKET - Taylor c Dalrymple b Vaughan 12, WI 296-8
Taylor goes big against Deadly, and he too holes out to deep midwicket - Vaughan finishes with 3-39 off his 10 overs. Always good when a World cup throws up some fresh young bowling talent. 48th over: WI 293-7
Jerome Taylor to the crease, and he's after Freddie in a flash - a pair of bottom-hand twos of the first two balls and then a champagne square drive past the diving Vaughan at point for four. Two overs to go... From Paul Jones, TMS inbox: "In what way does Nixon display badgering techniques behind the timbers? Has he built a set for himself and only come out at night to scavenge for food?" 47th over: WICKET - Bravo c Dalrymple b Vaughan 13, WI 277-7
Vaughan strikes again! Bravo tries to mash him into next week and holes out unhappily on the deep midwicket boundary. Still no smiles from the skipper. All this, and his boys Sheffield Wednesday recording their fifth win on the bounce to stay in the shout for the Championship play-offs - is there no pleasing the man? 46th over: WICKET - Chanderpaul c Plunkett b Collingwood 34, WI 276-6
Colly's involved in a third dismissal - this time tempting Chanders into a scooped drive with a slower ball. Plunkers jogs in from the long-on boundary to take an easy catch. From Steven Hovington, TMS inbox: "Come on Tom, own up - Terry Rhodes is a made-up comedy character, right?" 45th over: WI 274-5
Bravo charges Vaughan, who tries to drag it down leg for a stumping - only for the batsman to stop in his tracks and pull it sneakily for four instead. 44rd over: WI 266-5
Bravo clips Colly gently through midwicket for two and then jogs a single. Chanders waits patiently for the loose one before driving beautifully through cover for four, a mini-miracle of timing and placement. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "Unfortunately I didn't count on Liam 'Lunkhead' Plunkett's heroics (my first criticism of an English player all tournament!). I now have lost out on my little 50 flutter with Betfair." 43rd over: WICKET - Samuels c Collingwood b Vaughan 51, WI 256-5
Vaughan is now a strike bowler too - Marlon tries to slap him long and clouts it straight down Colly's throat at mid-on. Vaughan looks as pleased as a man who's just been told that he's sitting next to Badger on the long-haul flight home. 42nd over: WI 256-4
Colly slows things down with a succession of gentle Collywobblers, but Samuels goes to his 50 with a single. 37 balls, it's taken him. From James Charlick, TMS inbox: "When did Nicko acquire the nickname Badger? I don't really recall, and every time you say it I can't help but thing of that girl from The Apprentice having a go behind the stumps." James - I believe it refers to the constant badgering he gives from behind the timbers. 41st over: WI 253-4
Vaughan now sitting on figures of 0-18 off his six overs - thus guaranteeing himself a place in England's one-day side as the main brakeman for years to come. I'd call him an all-rounder, except that would assume a contribution from the bat. 40th over: WI 250-4
Samuels squirts Freddie's yorker square for four more, there's a brace of singles and then Samuels steals another two, arcing an edge from a big drive down to third man. 39th over: WI 243-4
"You and me, Vaughnie!" shouts the Badger, clearly overwhelmed again with emotion. Vaughan, badly rattled by the proposal, drags down leg and Chander creams him to deep square leg for four. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "Fords - again my faith in our boys has paid off! Wickets finally tumbling and we are right back in this one! I think 250 all out is a very realistic bet." 'Very realistic'? Terry, for your own sake, do not make that bet - I beg you. I know you're trying to prove something, but this is not the way to do it. 38th over: WI 236-4
Freddie's in bits here - Chanderpaul twists the knife with horrible subtley, angling two to third man, squeezing more through the covers and then dabbing late for four to third man. Zero boffery, maximum placement. 37th over: WI 224-4
With a heavy sigh, Vaughan brings himself back on and produces an over of control - a mere single. He resists the temptation to glare at Plunkett. Somehow. 36th over: WI 223-4
Did I say death or glory? I meant glory or glory - with a side-dish of extra glory and a large portion of glory sauce. Samuels goes ballistic against Plunkett, smashing him over long-on for six first ball, watching a wide go by, belting a no-ball through cover for four more and then - absolutely loving it - pulls for four more before finishing with - yup - another four, this one creamed through cover on the rise. Sensational batting - 24 off the over, and Plunkett's currently showing 0-71 off seven overs. Put a spin on that... 35th over: WI 199-4
Samuels, devastated after running out his skipper, has decided it's death or glory time - he goes after Broad like a bull terrier going after a postman's sack, and smashes him for successive fours - one over cover, and the next over mid-off. After a ball breather he then clubs over midwicket for two more, and in the space of six deliveries the crowd is back with him. 34th over: WICKET - Sarwan c Nixon b Plunkett 3, WI 181-4
Hello - England are sniffing some success - Sarwan dabs nervously at a sharper one from Plunkers and feathers to a bellowing Badger. A window has opened for Vaughan's boys - can they climb through it, or will they trip and bash their noses on the frame? 33rd over: WI 180-3
Broad's back on, and he gets some extra bounce which has Samuels fencing away with his glove for a streaky two over Badger. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "Fordy - I was not accusing you of being a racist, merely questioning your heightened dislike of Saj Mahmood, which I feel is not fully justified." Terry - Rhodesy - I'm glad you've withdrawn that unsavoury remark. I'm still hurt, if I'm honest, but in the spirit of sporting friendship I'm prepared to move on. 32nd over: WI 176-3
It's all gone rather quiet here - the big man's gone, and now we're left with Samuels and Sarwan scratching around. Final results from the vote: 9,682 participated - 42% reckon Lara's best ever innings was the 400* v England in 2004, 23% go for the 277 v Australia very early in his Test career in 1993, 22% are backing his 501* for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994, and only 13% voted for his 375 against England earlier that year.
Calamity for Lara - Samuels half-calls him for a nothing single, Lara trots out of his crease and KP underarms the stumps down before he can even turn back. There's a moment's stunned silence while Lara stands there frozen, and then the great man walks slowly off. The crowd rise to him, and he turns to wave farewell as the England players applaud and his team-mates rush down to form a guard of honour for him on the outfield. BC's stellar batting career is over, and there are tears in the eyes. How must Samuels be feeling now? 29th over: WI 166-1
Jimmy wobbles down leg and Lara tickles him fine for a wristy four. Even Smith cast away the shackles and joined the party - he clubs a full one through mid-off for four, and permits himself a small grin. 0-39 off six for Anderson. 28th over: WI 156-1
Unrestrained joy in the ranks - Fred drops short and Lara flays his square for his first four. It was in the air, but so are several hats now. 27th over: WI 147-1
Oohs from the crowd as Jimmy A nips one past Lara's outside edge. Brian takes a single to get away from the heat. Heat! That's officially my worst word-selection of the entire tournament so far. 26th over: WI 144-1
Devon pushes Fred away to go to his half-century off a mere 98 balls. Huge cheers from the crowd, but only because that finally gets BC on strike. Delirium follows as he gets off the mark with a tickle to leg. From Steve Shooter, TMS inbox: "It would appear as if everyone is getting a bowl. Can I have a go?" 25th over: WI 141-1
Tremendous scenes as Lara comes in for his last ever Windies knock - a standing ovation from all at the Kensington Oval, and a guard of honour by the England team. He takes his helmet off and waves his bat - almost bashfully. Smith then does his best to spoil the party by hogging the strike for the entire over from Plunkett and then pinching a single from the final ball. Liam's still having a 'mare, though - three more wides in that over. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "While I'm pleased to see that you have not been so hatefully negative today in that you have been far more gentle with the mis-firing Plunkett than you ever have been with Mahmood, it does also make me think that for some reason (racial prejudice?) that you really don't like Saj Mahmood. Mark my words that boy is going to be one of the stars of England in the years to come." Terry - I thought we were pals in banter, and then you suddenly go and accuse me of being a racist! I'm hurt and disappointed, and will be contacting my attourney as soon as this innings comes to a conclusion. 24th over: WICKET - Gayle c Broad b Flintoff 79, WI 131-1
Great pouch from Broad diving forward at third amn to a sliced drive, and Gayle's gone. more to the point, Brian's coming in! 23rd over: WI 127-0
Powerplay time, and Jimmy A to serve it up on a silver tray. Smith drives for two, tickles a single and then watches as Gayle tries to batter Jimmy into the Caribbean Sea. The ball sails high off the outside edge down towards third man, where Plunkett mis-times his dive and spills a 10%er of a catch. Emails from the USA tell me that your updates are stuck somewhere around the 14th over - I'd tell you that there might be some technical issues, but since you wouldn't be able to read the warning I shan't bother. 22nd over: WI 123-0
Fred's back, and after a single to Gayle it's Smith dragging his anchor across the coral again. Just 39 off 82 balls for Devon, and he's seen off 55 dot-balls. 21st over: WI 121-0
Vaughan totters delicately in, and Gayle taps him away for a single. Smith then late-cuts for two. Any idea where a wicket might come from here? 20th over: WI 116-0
Colly to Gayle, and the long-armed languid larruper creams him through midwicket with the sweetest timing. A single gets Smith on strike, which brings the run-fun to a temporary halt. 19th over: WI 110-0
A mere single off Vaughan, which surely makes him England's most parsimonious bowler of the tournament. Doesn't matter whether he's got ball or bat in hand - he's like a magic run-repelling device. 18th over: WI 109-0
Wondrous from Colly - just three singles. Ian Bell's out there fielding now. Not sure if he's come on for someone or whether England have gone for broke and opted for 12 fielders - might explain the drop in the scoring rate. 17th over: WI 106-0
Vaughan's decided to stick his own finger in the dyke, and his digit fits well - just a single to Smith, which nicks the strike off Gayle. 16th over: WI 105-0
A brief pause in the mayhem, with just three singles off the toiling Colly. Time for a drinks break. Gayle takes off his lid and dabs his forehead delicately with a forearm. Looking very much like Marvin Gaye on the cover of What's Going On, Gayle today. Albeit with no black mac. 15th over: WI 102-0
More 'Rympers, and Smith cuts him to the deep point boundary, where Plunkett slides in and flicks the ball into his own face before it bounces gently over the ropes. Gayle's now laughing openly. 14th over: WI 97-0
Colly again, and Gayle hammers a slower one back past his boot-straps for another four. Leaky singles from then on. Two policemen in the crowd seem to have come dressed as the cop from the Village People. Their mirrored shades are very 1985, but the bushy 'taches are a thing of wonder. 13th over: WI 90-0
Dalrymple, whose run-up is so turgid that it's more of a slow-down, turns a couple into Smith, and actually has semi-decent shouts for lbw turned down by Umps Rudi K. 12th over: WI 88-0
Fred obviously didn't do enough with his one over - Colly has been summoned. Smith takes a two and a single before Gayle nearly decapitates Umpire Taufel with a howitzer of a return drive for four. Run-rate's topping seven an over. Just to remind you, Vaughan won the toss and put the Windies in. Hmm. Is BC even going to get a sniff of the action? 11th over: WI 80-0
It is indeed Jamie D, and his friendly tweak is smashed away by Gayle for another four to bring up 50 off just 29 balls. Gayle strolls a single to give Smith the chance to cut for four more, and then 'Rymples floats down leg to gift Smith two more. 12 off the over. 10th over: WI 68-0
The punch-drunk Vaughan turns to Freddie, and he slams the hand-brake on - just two singles to Gayle and one to Smith. Don't want to worry anyone, but it looks like Dalrymple's warming-up - it's come to that already. 9th over: WI 65-0
Broad, desperate to keep Gayle off strike, continues with his previous line magic. Except for a wide, which we'll forgive the young buck. From Tim Hills, TMS inbox: "Personally I wouldn't venture further than a stir fry or a safe spag bol, although a good friend of mine has been known to wow a lady friend with Jamie Oliver's 'Black Angel Tagliarini' - a surefire hit." 8th over: WI 62-0
First two balls: two singles. Consider that the warm-up. Gayle, in full thunder-stealing mood, then clouts Plunkers for two successive fours - one belted through cover and the second late-cut over slip. Not content, he then creams the next two for monstrous sixes, way over long-on. 22 off the over, and Gayle's gone to 45 off 25 balls. 7th over: WI 40-0
Nice work from Broad - just short on off, good bounce, and Smith's smash-it-all-over plans are temporarily shelved. 6th over: WI 39-0
Liam finds his line at last, and there's just a no-ball off the over. Seven extras already, Terry - a new record for England at this stage of a World Cup match. 5th over: WI 38-0
Here comes the fresh-faced saviour - Broad into the attack for his first over in the World Cup. It's a beauty first up, beating smith outside off stump - a fact soon forgotten as Gayle launches him through midwicket and then high over cover for consecutive rippers of fours. 4th over: WI 27-0
Wallop - Gayle leans into Liam and belts him high over long-on for a crowd-pleaser of a six. 3rd over: WI 19-0
Languid magic from Gayle - Jimmy A strays to leg and is popped square for four. The rosy-cheeked Stuart Broad throws himself unsuccessfully at the ball and receives huge applause from Badger, who can probably barely see through the tears. 2nd over: WI 13-0
Forgotten-man Liam Plunkett starts with a tribute to his usurped team-mate Saj - two majestic wides. Smith then goes down on one knee to smash a four through cover.
 |
Alas - it was on the cards, and now it's happened - Rav takes on Bravo and finally loses out, ending up a good yard short as the throw destroys the stumps from point. Good knock though - Rav's had a good tournament, no? 15th over: Eng 100-1
 |
In scenes almost as miraculous as the Virgin birth, Vaughan goes to his fifty with a flicked four fine off Powell. Overwhelmed with disbelief, he then drives straight to Samuels at cover but is dropped. That's it, then - he's going to make 150 not out. 14th over: 93-1
I'm struggling to believe what my eyes are telling me, and I haven't even been at the BBC herbal tea - Vaughan waltzes down the track to Gayle and boffs him with no effort whatsoever for another six. He's now got 47 of 32 balls. Just four days ago, I watched him take 20 balls to get off the mark. Explain that one... 13th over: 84-1
Ravi flicks off his hip with sweet timing for four, and then creams a back-foot drive straight to point. No suicidal singles, remarkably. 12th over: 80-1
The bonkers running is clearly a deliberate tactic - another dicey one ends up with the ball clattering off the stumps with Ravs just in and racing away for four. Vaughan then stuns all watching by effortlessly pulling Taylor for a monster of a six over square leg. Where was that in the games that actually mattered? 11th over: 67-1
It's powerplay o'clock, and Ravi tucks in with relish - first a clip off his pads for four and then with a pull through midwicket that had Alec Stewart written all over it. He then calls Vaughan for another insane single, is sent back and avoids being run-out only because the throw misses again. Five run-out chances, five misses... 10th over: 58-1
Vaughan, clearly a cricketer reborn after his derring-do with the ball, lofts Taylor over midwicket for two successive fours. He's rattled onto 33 - don't tell me he could could reach a fift... I've said too much. 9th over: 46-1
Vaughnie flicks to square for two off Collymore and then steals a single. Apologies for calling him Vaughnie there - way too familiar, and a nicknmae which just doesn't work on any level. 8th over: 43-1
Ravs drives Taylor through cover for two and a dabber of a single from Vaughan. The steady start continues - six needed an over and they're ticking along at just over five. 7th over: 40-1
Fordyce back in here - just in case you're still reading, Mum. Ravs drives nicely down the ground for three just after Vaughan almost runs himself out with the craziest of singles to Samuels, whose throw misses by a country mile. Or just an ordinary mile. What's the difference? 6th over: 36-1
A better over for the Windies, with just a couple of singles added to the score. Some of England's backroom team of assistant coaches appear on a balcony, but there's no sign of David Graveney, who is after all the long-serving chairman of Bo' Selectas. 5th over: 34-1
Vaughan takes three to midwicket, while the Windies are still happy to help the score along with more wides. A classic cover drive then sails away for four. A good over for England. Mike Gatting sits with Chris Broad in the crowd - will they be reminiscing about the good old days of 86-87? Or will Broad, now an ICC match referee, be explaining how he would punish batsmen who smash their stumps or refuse to leave the crease when given out? 4th over: 21-1
Vaughan and Bopara pick up a couple from some sloppy WI fielding, and then Vaughan swishes at a wide, before restoring his reputation with a good-looking pull to midwicket for four. There is a pro-Bopara flag in the crowd proclaiming "Puppy Power" which appears to feature Ravi B's head on the body of Scrappy-Doo. (Scrappy-Doo, now there was a bad idea that we can't blame Duncan Fletcher for).
| |
Strauss flicks one off his legs for four, but then ends his World Cup early by trying a similar shot which spoons up to Devon Smith at backward square leg. It's 11-1. Mr Bopara, your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to justify your promotion to number three. He plays out the remainder of the over. 2nd over: 5-0
Daren Powell opens with a loose one on the off side which Strauss tickles down to third man to bring his skipper on strike for the first time. A couple more singles are added to the score, while Vaughan worryingly plays and misses twice outside off-stump. Website users, there's a new Big Green Monster vote for you - who's England's player of the tournament?
1st over: 2-0
Corey Collymore opens the innings with a wide which gives record-breaking Ump Rudi the chance for a nice early arm-stretch. The next one is a fierce bouncer which strikes Strauss on the hand. Strauss then edges the second legal ball, which bounces between keeper Ramdin (who moves late) and slip Gayle (who may be standing too deep). Strauss picks up a leg bye after nudging the final ball away - an eventful first over.
*******
50th over: WICKET - Collymore run out (Flintoff) 1, WI 300 all out  |
Same again from Fred, except this time the throw's overarm and back at the non-striker's stumps. Good finish from England after that woeful start and dodgy middle - they'll need 301 to win. See you in 20 minutes... 50th over: WICKET - Powell run out (Flintoff) 0, WI 298-9
| |
Super yorker from Fred, Powell hares down from the non-striker's end and Fred casually underarms the stumps down. 49th over: WICKET - Taylor c Dalrymple b Vaughan 12, WI 296-8
| |
Taylor goes big against Deadly, and he too holes out to deep midwicket - Vaughan finishes with 3-39 off his 10 overs. Always good when a World cup throws up some fresh young bowling talent. 48th over: WI 293-7
Jerome Taylor to the crease, and he's after Freddie in a flash - a pair of bottom-hand twos of the first two balls and then a champagne square drive past the diving Vaughan at point for four. Two overs to go... From Paul Jones, TMS inbox: "In what way does Nixon display badgering techniques behind the timbers? Has he built a set for himself and only come out at night to scavenge for food?" 47th over: WICKET - Bravo c Dalrymple b Vaughan 13, WI 277-7
| |
Vaughan strikes again! Bravo tries to mash him into next week and holes out unhappily on the deep midwicket boundary. Still no smiles from the skipper. All this, and his boys Sheffield Wednesday recording their fifth win on the bounce to stay in the shout for the Championship play-offs - is there no pleasing the man? 46th over: WICKET - Chanderpaul c Plunkett b Collingwood 34, WI 276-6
| |
Colly's involved in a third dismissal - this time tempting Chanders into a scooped drive with a slower ball. Plunkers jogs in from the long-on boundary to take an easy catch. From Steven Hovington, TMS inbox: "Come on Tom, own up - Terry Rhodes is a made-up comedy character, right?" 45th over: WI 274-5
Bravo charges Vaughan, who tries to drag it down leg for a stumping - only for the batsman to stop in his tracks and pull it sneakily for four instead. 44rd over: WI 266-5
Bravo clips Colly gently through midwicket for two and then jogs a single. Chanders waits patiently for the loose one before driving beautifully through cover for four, a mini-miracle of timing and placement. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "Unfortunately I didn't count on Liam 'Lunkhead' Plunkett's heroics (my first criticism of an English player all tournament!). I now have lost out on my little 50 flutter with Betfair." 43rd over: WICKET - Samuels c Collingwood b Vaughan 51, WI 256-5
| |
Vaughan is now a strike bowler too - Marlon tries to slap him long and clouts it straight down Colly's throat at mid-on. Vaughan looks as pleased as a man who's just been told that he's sitting next to Badger on the long-haul flight home. 42nd over: WI 256-4
| |
Colly slows things down with a succession of gentle Collywobblers, but Samuels goes to his 50 with a single. 37 balls, it's taken him. From James Charlick, TMS inbox: "When did Nicko acquire the nickname Badger? I don't really recall, and every time you say it I can't help but thing of that girl from The Apprentice having a go behind the stumps." James - I believe it refers to the constant badgering he gives from behind the timbers. 41st over: WI 253-4
Vaughan now sitting on figures of 0-18 off his six overs - thus guaranteeing himself a place in England's one-day side as the main brakeman for years to come. I'd call him an all-rounder, except that would assume a contribution from the bat. 40th over: WI 250-4
Samuels squirts Freddie's yorker square for four more, there's a brace of singles and then Samuels steals another two, arcing an edge from a big drive down to third man. 39th over: WI 243-4
"You and me, Vaughnie!" shouts the Badger, clearly overwhelmed again with emotion. Vaughan, badly rattled by the proposal, drags down leg and Chander creams him to deep square leg for four. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "Fords - again my faith in our boys has paid off! Wickets finally tumbling and we are right back in this one! I think 250 all out is a very realistic bet." 'Very realistic'? Terry, for your own sake, do not make that bet - I beg you. I know you're trying to prove something, but this is not the way to do it. 38th over: WI 236-4
Freddie's in bits here - Chanderpaul twists the knife with horrible subtley, angling two to third man, squeezing more through the covers and then dabbing late for four to third man. Zero boffery, maximum placement. 37th over: WI 224-4
With a heavy sigh, Vaughan brings himself back on and produces an over of control - a mere single. He resists the temptation to glare at Plunkett. Somehow. 36th over: WI 223-4
Did I say death or glory? I meant glory or glory - with a side-dish of extra glory and a large portion of glory sauce. Samuels goes ballistic against Plunkett, smashing him over long-on for six first ball, watching a wide go by, belting a no-ball through cover for four more and then - absolutely loving it - pulls for four more before finishing with - yup - another four, this one creamed through cover on the rise. Sensational batting - 24 off the over, and Plunkett's currently showing 0-71 off seven overs. Put a spin on that... 35th over: WI 199-4
Samuels, devastated after running out his skipper, has decided it's death or glory time - he goes after Broad like a bull terrier going after a postman's sack, and smashes him for successive fours - one over cover, and the next over mid-off. After a ball breather he then clubs over midwicket for two more, and in the space of six deliveries the crowd is back with him. 34th over: WICKET - Sarwan c Nixon b Plunkett 3, WI 181-4
| |
Hello - England are sniffing some success - Sarwan dabs nervously at a sharper one from Plunkers and feathers to a bellowing Badger. A window has opened for Vaughan's boys - can they climb through it, or will they trip and bash their noses on the frame? 33rd over: WI 180-3
Broad's back on, and he gets some extra bounce which has Samuels fencing away with his glove for a streaky two over Badger. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "Fordy - I was not accusing you of being a racist, merely questioning your heightened dislike of Saj Mahmood, which I feel is not fully justified." Terry - Rhodesy - I'm glad you've withdrawn that unsavoury remark. I'm still hurt, if I'm honest, but in the spirit of sporting friendship I'm prepared to move on. 32nd over: WI 176-3
It's all gone rather quiet here - the big man's gone, and now we're left with Samuels and Sarwan scratching around. Final results from the vote: 9,682 participated - 42% reckon Lara's best ever innings was the 400* v England in 2004, 23% go for the 277 v Australia very early in his Test career in 1993, 22% are backing his 501* for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994, and only 13% voted for his 375 against England earlier that year.
31st over: WICKET - Lara run out (Pietersen) 18, WI 173-3
| |
Calamity for Lara - Samuels half-calls him for a nothing single, Lara trots out of his crease and KP underarms the stumps down before he can even turn back. There's a moment's stunned silence while Lara stands there frozen, and then the great man walks slowly off. The crowd rise to him, and he turns to wave farewell as the England players applaud and his team-mates rush down to form a guard of honour for him on the outfield. BC's stellar batting career is over, and there are tears in the eyes. How must Samuels be feeling now? 29th over: WI 166-1
Jimmy wobbles down leg and Lara tickles him fine for a wristy four. Even Smith cast away the shackles and joined the party - he clubs a full one through mid-off for four, and permits himself a small grin. 0-39 off six for Anderson. 28th over: WI 156-1
Unrestrained joy in the ranks - Fred drops short and Lara flays his square for his first four. It was in the air, but so are several hats now. 27th over: WI 147-1
Oohs from the crowd as Jimmy A nips one past Lara's outside edge. Brian takes a single to get away from the heat. Heat! That's officially my worst word-selection of the entire tournament so far. 26th over: WI 144-1
| |
Devon pushes Fred away to go to his half-century off a mere 98 balls. Huge cheers from the crowd, but only because that finally gets BC on strike. Delirium follows as he gets off the mark with a tickle to leg. From Steve Shooter, TMS inbox: "It would appear as if everyone is getting a bowl. Can I have a go?" 25th over: WI 141-1
Tremendous scenes as Lara comes in for his last ever Windies knock - a standing ovation from all at the Kensington Oval, and a guard of honour by the England team. He takes his helmet off and waves his bat - almost bashfully. Smith then does his best to spoil the party by hogging the strike for the entire over from Plunkett and then pinching a single from the final ball. Liam's still having a 'mare, though - three more wides in that over. From Terry Rhodes, TMS inbox: "While I'm pleased to see that you have not been so hatefully negative today in that you have been far more gentle with the mis-firing Plunkett than you ever have been with Mahmood, it does also make me think that for some reason (racial prejudice?) that you really don't like Saj Mahmood. Mark my words that boy is going to be one of the stars of England in the years to come." Terry - I thought we were pals in banter, and then you suddenly go and accuse me of being a racist! I'm hurt and disappointed, and will be contacting my attourney as soon as this innings comes to a conclusion. 24th over: WICKET - Gayle c Broad b Flintoff 79, WI 131-1
| |
Great pouch from Broad diving forward at third amn to a sliced drive, and Gayle's gone. more to the point, Brian's coming in! 23rd over: WI 127-0
Powerplay time, and Jimmy A to serve it up on a silver tray. Smith drives for two, tickles a single and then watches as Gayle tries to batter Jimmy into the Caribbean Sea. The ball sails high off the outside edge down towards third man, where Plunkett mis-times his dive and spills a 10%er of a catch. Emails from the USA tell me that your updates are stuck somewhere around the 14th over - I'd tell you that there might be some technical issues, but since you wouldn't be able to read the warning I shan't bother. 22nd over: WI 123-0
Fred's back, and after a single to Gayle it's Smith dragging his anchor across the coral again. Just 39 off 82 balls for Devon, and he's seen off 55 dot-balls. 21st over: WI 121-0
Vaughan totters delicately in, and Gayle taps him away for a single. Smith then late-cuts for two. Any idea where a wicket might come from here? 20th over: WI 116-0
Colly to Gayle, and the long-armed languid larruper creams him through midwicket with the sweetest timing. A single gets Smith on strike, which brings the run-fun to a temporary halt. 19th over: WI 110-0
A mere single off Vaughan, which surely makes him England's most parsimonious bowler of the tournament. Doesn't matter whether he's got ball or bat in hand - he's like a magic run-repelling device. 18th over: WI 109-0
Wondrous from Colly - just three singles. Ian Bell's out there fielding now. Not sure if he's come on for someone or whether England have gone for broke and opted for 12 fielders - might explain the drop in the scoring rate. 17th over: WI 106-0
Vaughan's decided to stick his own finger in the dyke, and his digit fits well - just a single to Smith, which nicks the strike off Gayle. 16th over: WI 105-0
A brief pause in the mayhem, with just three singles off the toiling Colly. Time for a drinks break. Gayle takes off his lid and dabs his forehead delicately with a forearm. Looking very much like Marvin Gaye on the cover of What's Going On, Gayle today. Albeit with no black mac. 15th over: WI 102-0
More 'Rympers, and Smith cuts him to the deep point boundary, where Plunkett slides in and flicks the ball into his own face before it bounces gently over the ropes. Gayle's now laughing openly. 14th over: WI 97-0
Colly again, and Gayle hammers a slower one back past his boot-straps for another four. Leaky singles from then on. Two policemen in the crowd seem to have come dressed as the cop from the Village People. Their mirrored shades are very 1985, but the bushy 'taches are a thing of wonder. 13th over: WI 90-0
Dalrymple, whose run-up is so turgid that it's more of a slow-down, turns a couple into Smith, and actually has semi-decent shouts for lbw turned down by Umps Rudi K. 12th over: WI 88-0
Fred obviously didn't do enough with his one over - Colly has been summoned. Smith takes a two and a single before Gayle nearly decapitates Umpire Taufel with a howitzer of a return drive for four. Run-rate's topping seven an over. Just to remind you, Vaughan won the toss and put the Windies in. Hmm. Is BC even going to get a sniff of the action? 11th over: WI 80-0
| |
It is indeed Jamie D, and his friendly tweak is smashed away by Gayle for another four to bring up 50 off just 29 balls. Gayle strolls a single to give Smith the chance to cut for four more, and then 'Rymples floats down leg to gift Smith two more. 12 off the over. 10th over: WI 68-0
The punch-drunk Vaughan turns to Freddie, and he slams the hand-brake on - just two singles to Gayle and one to Smith. Don't want to worry anyone, but it looks like Dalrymple's warming-up - it's come to that already. 9th over: WI 65-0
Broad, desperate to keep Gayle off strike, continues with his previous line magic. Except for a wide, which we'll forgive the young buck. From Tim Hills, TMS inbox: "Personally I wouldn't venture further than a stir fry or a safe spag bol, although a good friend of mine has been known to wow a lady friend with Jamie Oliver's 'Black Angel Tagliarini' - a surefire hit." 8th over: WI 62-0
First two balls: two singles. Consider that the warm-up. Gayle, in full thunder-stealing mood, then clouts Plunkers for two successive fours - one belted through cover and the second late-cut over slip. Not content, he then creams the next two for monstrous sixes, way over long-on. 22 off the over, and Gayle's gone to 45 off 25 balls. 7th over: WI 40-0
Nice work from Broad - just short on off, good bounce, and Smith's smash-it-all-over plans are temporarily shelved. 6th over: WI 39-0
Liam finds his line at last, and there's just a no-ball off the over. Seven extras already, Terry - a new record for England at this stage of a World Cup match. 5th over: WI 38-0
Here comes the fresh-faced saviour - Broad into the attack for his first over in the World Cup. It's a beauty first up, beating smith outside off stump - a fact soon forgotten as Gayle launches him through midwicket and then high over cover for consecutive rippers of fours. 4th over: WI 27-0
Wallop - Gayle leans into Liam and belts him high over long-on for a crowd-pleaser of a six. 3rd over: WI 19-0
Languid magic from Gayle - Jimmy A strays to leg and is popped square for four. The rosy-cheeked Stuart Broad throws himself unsuccessfully at the ball and receives huge applause from Badger, who can probably barely see through the tears. 2nd over: WI 13-0
Forgotten-man Liam Plunkett starts with a tribute to his usurped team-mate Saj - two majestic wides. Smith then goes down on one knee to smash a four through cover.
1st over: WI 6-0
Anderson opens, and in fitting style he produces three wides. If that's his tribute to Duncan Fletcher I'd hate to see what Saj Mahmood's working on. Gayle clips for two off his legs and almost breaks into a jog.
681