England No.3 makes runs - aaagh

What is the world coming to? - an England number 3 who makes runs

Bopara has been very good, rode his luck when he really should have been given out LBW on 40 yesterday, but apart from that one glitch his runs have come freely and his concentration levels against an ok attack have been of the highest order. Edging his way to 150 now, thats two successive centuries for him at number 3 - are you watching Bell and co.?
Ashes *cough* Ashes...clears throat

As I speak Swann powers one to the boundary for his 50, that together with Prior and Broads innings have got England a healthy first innings total here, 400 looking likely and that should be enough on home soil against West Indies to put England in a commanding position.

So - we have a number 3 now - that just laeves us 2 and half months for 10 other players - it's a start.

England make 377, which is ok, kinda happy with that - Bopara was good and Swanny ran out of partners.

Strauss opens with Broad and Swann - yes, right arm off break to open the bowling with a brand new cherry - hmm...lasts 2 overs.

Gayle and Sarwan out early thanks to Broad - this could be wrapped up in 2 days time, but then this is England so I'll just hold that thought for a moment.

very good day - most impressive by the bowlers - wonderful conditions

There was some pace out there today too - Broad hit 93mph, Onions and Jimmy both hit 90s too.

Careless from the WIndies, but they havent the best team in the world as England would have you believe sometimes.

I wonder how good a performance this was today. As you eluded to Huzup, we have made the Windies look a very competent side of late, perhaps we put that right today but we still need to follow that up with a comfortable win, preferably 2-0 in the series.

This is the exact warm up we need for the Ashes, and though it may not be enough it is a start.

abcdef wrote:

I wonder how good a performance this was today. As you eluded to Huzup, we have made the Windies look a very competent side of late, perhaps we put that right today but we still need to follow that up with a comfortable win, preferably 2-0 in the series.

This is the exact warm up we need for the Ashes, and though it may not be enough it is a start.

I'd rather we played someone like India (obviously IPL playing an issue) - just to test how far we are off the pace - though nothing beats a confidence booster.