Reports
Dogged England take upper hand
2007-06-18 20:09:00

England fought back from adversity to increase their chances of forcing victory over West Indies at Chester-le-Street.

Matthew Hoggard struck twice with the new ball and left-arm spinner Monty Panesar claimed another wicket before bad light halted the West Indies at 83 for three on the fourth evening.

Yorkshire swing bowler Hoggard removed Devon Smith and Windies captain Daren Ganga inside the opening half-a-dozen overs after Paul Collingwood's fifth Test ton provided a useful first-innings lead.

Two full deliveries proved successful as left-hander Smith was undone by one which hooped back to hit the pads in front of middle and Ganga, dropping himself down a place in the order due to poor form, nibbled at an away-swinger to provide a catch for wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Panesar then enjoyed success in his first over as Runako Morton chopped the ball into his stumps.

Earlier Collingwood, playing in his maiden Test at his Riverside county headquarters, hit 128 to guide his side away from trouble.

Despite being reduced to 165 for six on a gloomy morning, England were hauled to 400 thanks to a stunning allince between Collingwood and Prior (62).

That provided Michael Vaughan's men with a 117-run lead on first innings and gave them the chance to send down 30 overs this evening - the Windies were 28 for two after seven.

Seventh-wicket pair Collingwood and Prior savaged 29 runs in the opening two overs with the second new ball and tail-ender Ryan Sidebottom played in the same spirit with an unbeaten 26.

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Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

City: Antigua and Barbuda
Established: 2006
End names: N/A
Capacity: 20,000

1975 - Deryck Murray's innings against Pakistan

The West Indies met Pakistan at the group stage and needed to win the match to secure a spot in the final four.


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