CRICKET:Andrew Flintoff was handed the new ball and provided England with an early breakthrough in the first Test at Sabina Park.
All-rounder Flintoff was given a new role by captain Andrew Strauss, having passed a fitness check to take part in the first of four Tests against West Indies.
Strauss spoke in the build-up about redefining Flintoff’s role as a bowler and reverted to the remit first given to the 31-year-old back in 2001 in India, but dealt to him sparingly since.
It proved an explosive start as well as he dismissed opener Devon Smith leg before wicket after a challenge to umpire Tony Hill’s initial decision to give the left-hander not out.
Television official Daryl Harper confirmed that the ball had pitched in line with leg stump rather than outside before clattering a hopping Smith on the back leg.
That left West Indies 18 for one, a deficit of exactly 300.
West Indies captain Chris Gayle countered Flintoff’s fire when he lofted a straight six from his second ball, via an extraordinary checked drive, and then felt one whistle past his nose end at 89 miles per hour.