England struggle against West Indies

West Indies hit back strongly on day two of the first test as they removed both England openers cheaply to leave the tourists…

West Indies hit back strongly on day two of the first test as they removed both England openers cheaply to leave the tourists struggling on 51 for two at lunch, 260 runs behind.

Fidel Edwards bowled with real pace to force Marcus Trescothick to play on for seven, before having England captain Michael Vaughan caught at second slip by Brian Lara for 15. Mark Butcher, who was dropped at short leg, was four not out at the interval, while Nasser Hussain survived a few scares to be unbeaten on seven.

Resuming on 311 for nine, West Indies failed to add to their overnight total as England wrapped up the innings in just two overs. A superb catch from Andrew Flintoff low to his left at second slip removed Edwards for one, giving Matthew Hoggard figures of three for 68.

Simon Jones, Steve Harmison and Ashley Giles claimed two wickets apiece. A maiden test century from opening batsman Devon Smith, who made 108, was the backbone of the West Indies innings while Ryan Hinds hit a test-best 84.

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In reply, England began well with Vaughan cracking one cover drive for four, but West Indies soon had both England openers in trouble. Vaughan survived a confident appeal for leg-before from Corey Collymore before Edwards made the breakthrough.

After a bouncer ripped just past his head, Trescothick went on the back foot for the next ball and got an inside edge onto his stumps. Butcher almost did the same to his first ball but Edwards would not be denied and in his next over, claimed the important wicket of Vaughan with a perfect ball that moved off the seam, found the edge and Lara took the catch at second slip.

Edwards almost got a third wicket when Butcher edged to short leg but Ramnaresh Sarwan failed to take the sharp chance. England are chasing a first series victory in the Caribbean since 1968.