England take narrow Test lead

KINGSTON: The pendulum swung back towards England on the third day of the first Test against West Indies as the tourists took a 28-run first-innings lead yesterday. Chris Gayle and Devon Smith survived 3.2 overs in fading light as West Indies closed another rain-interrupted day on 10 for no wicket, still 18 runs behind England, for whom Nasser Hussain and Mark Butcher both hit 58 in their total of 339. Fast bowlers Tino Best and Fidel Edwards took three wickets apiece for West Indies, who conceded 60 extras, including 18 no balls. After more than 90 minutes were lost to rain on the second day, only 58.1 overs were possible yesterday.

West Indies captain Brian Lara sat out the first session to protect the little finger on his right hand, dislocated while fielding on Friday, and Edwards was forced off the field with a strained side. Between the showers England, resuming on 154 for three, had the best of the early exchanges as Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe edged their side towards West Indies total of 311. Hussain passed 50 for the 31st time in Tests from 137 balls but the introduction of Best changed the mood. In his second Test, Best showed real pace and aggression as he grabbed his first test wicket by having Thorpe caught at fine leg off a top-edged hook for 19, and repeated the feat when Hussain was caught off a leading edge for 58.

Andrew Flintoff looked completely at ease as he rolled along at a run a ball but, just when it looked like he would break loose, he succumbed.
Having watched from the dressing room for the first few hours, Lara returned, relieving Ramnaresh Sarwan of his duties as acting captain. Lara brought Sarwan on to use his part-time spin and the move worked perfectly as Flintoff tried to lift him over the infield and was caught at mid-wicket, his 46 runs coming from 50 balls. Wicketkeeper Chris Read and Ashley Giles dug in but West Indies took the new ball, gave it to Best, and Read fell immediately for 20, skying the ball to square leg after failing to get into position for a hook. Best finished with three for 72, while Corey Collymore and Adam Sanford peppered the tail with more short stuff and Giles and Matthew Hoggard rode their luck to put England ahead. Giles fell for 27, bowled off his pads by Sanford, Jones gave Ryan Hinds his first Test wicket by skying the spinner to cover for seven, and Steve Harmison struck a few lusty blows before being last man to go, run out for 13. In reply, Gayle hit one sumptuous boundary before finishing on eight not out, with Devon Smith unbeaten on nought. (Reuters)