England makes steady progress

England, boosted by a flurry of 10 no balls from the West Indies attack, reached 123-1 in their first innings at tea on the second day of the second Test.

England, boosted by a flurry of 10 no balls from the West Indies attack, reached 123-1 in their first innings at tea on the second day of the second Test.

Published May 26, 2012

Share

NOTTINGHAM, England - England, boosted by a flurry of 10 no balls from the West Indies attack, reached 123-1 in their first innings at tea on the second day of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

They trailed by 247 after the tourists were bowled out shortly before lunch for 370 with Marlon Samuels (117) and Darren Sammy (106) rescuing the visiting cause in a stand of 204.

Captain Andrew Strauss was on 45 with Jonathan Trott on 35, both men increasing in confidence and stepping up the pace markedly near the interval.

The batsmen had Kemar Roach to thank with eight no balls in 10 overs. The paceman had paid a bigger price against Alastair Cook, who was twice caught behind by Denesh Ramdin off his bowling only for no balls to be called.

Cook was finally dismissed for 24 - caught with some justice by Ramdin - but off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul.

Earlier, England talisman Tim Bresnan blew away West Indies' main resistance with the key wickets of Samuels and Sammy.

Resuming on 304 for six, West Indies had started the day well with captain Sammy reaching his maiden Test century from his overnight 88 and Samuels looking comfortable after notching his third international ton on Friday.

But paceman Bresnan - who has been on the winning side in all of his 12 tests to date for England - was having none of it, first removing Sammy and then Samuels, both caught.

Roach was the third Bresnan victim of the morning, caught for seven, and Graeme Swann wrapped up the innings when Matt Prior stumped Shane Shillingford for 16.

Bresnan topped the bowling with four for 104 from his 27 overs.

England lead the three-match series 1-0 after a five-wicket win in the first Test at Lord's – Reuters

Related Topics: