Eng, WI Test 3: Strauss, Collingwood Centuries Put England on TOP

Sreelata YellamrazuFeb 17 2009

Three half centuries and two centuries from the top order, and two near half centuries. Andrew Strauss could not have asked for more from his men, disgraced not so far in the past. West Indies though need to put greater efforts to show that two pitches in a row are not a sham as was the bane of the abandoned second Test.

strauss 5o26b 17022

Andrew Strauss, England skipper, was copping it when England lost the first Test by an innings and twenty-three runs. An abandoned Test would not have helped erase the memories which is why perhaps England were in favour of a stop gap Test, making this one in Antigua the third.

The skipper's nerves in only his second official Test as skipper would have eased a bit after he led the way with an assertive century, a huge one by England's standards thus far. With the start provided England should have cashed in and they did.

Half centuries from under pressure Alastair Cook, Ian Bell's replacement Owais Shah and man who missed the century in the first Test, Kevin Pietersen helped England push the innings total to a phenomenal, colossal for the West Indies, 566 for nine declared. But it came after another extraordinary innings of note from Paul Collingwood, which only added to the smiles in the England dressing room, which copped flak from who's who of England, blaming even the IPL for the debacle.

Batting virtually for two days, England helped erased the debacle of Sabina Park. Now the West Indies battle another pitch that appears to be causing problems and the England bowlers could be probing the West Indies line up if they manage to find the right line and length.

The celebrations in the Caribbean would have silenced after this England effort. If the bands must rejoice, they will need to pull something out of the hat!

Eng-WI Test 2: Start, Stop, Restart - The Pictures

Eng-WI Test 2: Start, Stop, Restart - The Story

Boycott Dishes Scathing Criticism of England's Woes

RCB Policy; Two Captains for one IPL team?

IPL Auctions: Mallya’s Mistake or Mindset- KP for Captain?

Fletcher Calls for Changes, Doubts Camaraderie

Mallya Eyes Honda; Not New Team for RCB

Ray Jennings starts his job with a disciplinary whip

The New Player-Coach - Stephen Fleming

Harmison Fears for Integrity of Umpires

Test 1: ‘Bolt’ From the Blue; Gayle in Gleeful Mood

Test 1: Gayle’s Gala Men Humiliate Strauss and Company