Windies press for consolation

ST JOHN’S: Openers Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick shared an unbroken stand of 145 as England rebounded from being forced to follow on by the West Indies on day four of the Fourth cricket Test yesterday. Earlier, Andrew Flintoff’s gritty, unbeaten 102 was the main resistance as the West Indies pacers floored England for 285 in the first innings at the Antigua Recreation Ground.  But the tourists, facing a deficit of 466, responded by cruising to 145 without loss in the second innings at stumps, with captain Vaughan and Trescothick posting their first half-centuries of the series. England trail by 321 runs with 10 wickets and 90 overs to survive for a draw today.

The West Indies, inspired by Brian Lara’s record 400 not out, totalled 751-5 declared in their first innings. They are aiming to secure a consolation victory after England already seized the Wisden Trophy with easy victories in the First three Tests of the four-match rubber. Trescothick was 74 not out, including eight fours off 158 balls. Vaughan stroked six fours off 137 deliveries in an undefeated 61. Both batsmen spent more than three hours at the crease. The West Indies dominated the first two sessions after England resumed on 171-5. Flintoff provided the main English highlights at the end of the innings as he smashed 13 fours and one hooked six off 224 balls in notching his third Test century in his 33rd match. He  benefited from three chances at 27, 56 and 67, and batted with responsibility for 5 1/2 hours.

Flintoff received excellent support from the tailenders as England resisted longer than expected. There was a bad start when Geraint Jones, on debut, added six to his overnight score in an enterprising 38, before he missed a drive and was bowled by Fidel Edwards. Jones struck five   boundaries off 88 balls in two hours. He and Flintoff added a valuable 84 runs for the sixth wicket. Gareth Batty hung around for 10 overs and 52 minutes before he edged an airy drive to first slip from the first ball he faced from Pedro Collins for eight. Matthew Hoggard then came in after spending the last two days in bed with a stomach bug, and he took 25 balls and 39 minutes to get off the mark. For his one run, Hoggard stuck around for a total of 33 balls and 51 minutes before Collins again found a nick, which wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs pouched for  his 200th Test catch. The 36-year-old Jacobs, who hit an unbeaten century in helping Lara to his record score, is the 11th wicketkeeper and second West Indian after Deryck Murray to achieve the feat.  From 229 for eight, Simon Jones helped Flintoff reach his century, his first since last August against South Africa at Lord’s.

But soon after, Jones took a bouncer from Tino Best on the arm and had to be helped from the field. He appeared to have retired his innings, but after Steve Harmison (5) was bowled by  Best 10 minutes later, Jones (11) returned but couldn’t add to his score before he was judged leg before wicket off Ryan Hinds.  Left-arm pacer Collins took four for 76 off 26 overs. Best  claimed three for 37 off 10.3 overs while Edwards earned two for 70 off 18. The West Indies were unlucky not to claim out-of-form Trescothick before he had scored, as England began their second innings. The Somerset man gloved a catch down the leg side to   Jacobs but only TV replays and not umpire Darrell Hair picked up the deflection. Trescothick survived another tough chance at 55 when Chris Gayle at first slip booted a low edge off Hinds.  But it was one of the few genuine opportunities the West Indies had in a lengthy final session as their tiring bowlers allowed England to bat without fear. Trescothick and Vaughan brought up 100 in the 30th over, then took another 18 to score  45.