Bell sacrificed as England look to restore pride.

Ian Bell has finally been given the chop for England's second test in the current series against the West Indies which starts later today in Antigua. Owais Shah has been handed a recall to the side with paceman Steven Harmison also dropped for Jimmy Anderson. England will look to level the 4 match series at 1-1 after suffering a humiliating innings defeat in the first test.

A real sandy pitch in Antigua with the bounce dying as the match goes on - so dropping Harmy could be a slight tactical change. It is about time Shah was given a proper run - he's shown his metal against the Windies before and it ws going to be one of Colly or Bell to get dropped. With Sidebottom and Anderson in the side any hint of swing should give the England bowling attack a boost. Panesar needs to step up - this series may be a last chance saloon for him - Swann can bat and field as well as spin - not as agressive aas Monty but can do a job so Monty needs to prove his place in the side.

England batting first - lets see if we can get past 51 - anything after that is a bonus

If we lose one more match in this series to the windes.. then i KNOW for fact we will not win the ashes back off the Aussies...

still in shock from the last test.. but oh well gone gone gone.. really hope we win this one

well well well - typical Windies this is.

The outfield is not ready and the bowlers are struggling with their run up - the pitch is playable but the field is awful.

Match ref, and umpires discussing basically whether or not it is suitale to play the game.

Antigua cricket board is a joke - and we thought we had problems in our sport. Ten balls bowled - 10-0 - but it looks like its going to be abandoned.

A truly pathetic show for cricket - this the 21st century for crying out loud. On the verge of cancellation


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play abadonned for the day.

Abandoned for the day - looking for another ground to play the Test?

Only in the West Indies - Didnt a game in Kingston once get abandoned for a unfit pitch?

TickTok wrote:

Abandoned for the day - looking for another ground to play the Test?

Only in the West Indies - Didnt a game in Kingston once get abandoned for a unfit pitch?

yes, that was because of the pitch.

This is a disgrace.

Grrr!!

i was just watching Hussain looking at the pitch then.. god damn awful though..:/ lol

Grrr

I'm listening to Sir Viv (this is his ground) - he is distraught.

Match ref is lost too. ECB, ICC, WICB and umpires going to discuss asap. Recreation ground is a no-no, only thing they can do is try and fit a back-to-back test match in at the end.

Why are people so stupid? They should wear a badge so we can spot them and avoid them. Arseholes.

I just seen pictures of the ground being dug up n I am shocked to see so much sand on the run ups.

How the hell they even started the Test I do not know.

Some old timer in the crowd said he watched them practice yesterday, and he could see they was having problems.

He Asked - why didnt someone take control of the situation then, and stop this pantomine being played out infront of the world?

Excellent question!

Strauss has just gothis century.. Cook had already got 52 earlier..

Its how we like too see it..

now just don't go and do a classic England collapse and we should win this.