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West Indies in ENGLAND, May 2009

Organised as replacement for cancelled Zimbabwe tour, it clashed with the IPL and seemed too early with a start on Weds 6 May, the earliest since (whenever..). Gayle criticised for flying in 2 days before the start from SA. West Indies looked weak. Comfortable 2-0 series win for ENG captained by Andrew Strauss (first series post-Pietersen); coach was Andy Flower.

ENG introduced Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions. No Flintoff (inj), no Bell or Panesar (dropped) or Sidebottom.

1st Test 6-10 May, 2009

Lord’s

Toss: WI (fielded)

Res: ENG win by 10 wkts

Following on from where they left off in Trinidad two months earlier, and with skipper Gayle flying in 2 days before the Wednesday start from the IPL in S.Africa, the tourists brought back Jerome Taylor and Sulieman Benn (for Daren Powell and Ryan Hinds). ENG gave debuts to Tim Bresnan (with Flintoff injured in the IPL) and Graham Onions (for Panesar) with Swann keeping the spinning place on a greenish wicket. Bopara came in for Bell and held ENG inns together with 143; after KP got a golden duck (one of Edwards’ 6-92 haul), Prior, Broad then Swann in particular (63* in a 8^th wkt partnership of 93).

Onions took 5-38 as ENG made WI follow-on, and in the second inns Anderson, Broad, Swann and Onions shared the wickets leaving Cook and Strauss to get 32 on the third evening. Swann MoM for his 6 wickets and batting.

ENG 377

WI 152

WI 256

ENG 32 - 0

ENG

1. AJ Strauss *

2. AN Cook

3. R S Bopara

4. KP Pietersen

5. PD Collingwood

6. MJ Prior +

7. SCJ Broad

8. TT Bresnan

9. GP Swann

10. J M Anderson

11. G Onions

1. CH Gayle *

2. DS Smith

3. RR Sarwan

4. LMP Simmons

5. S Chanderpaul

6. BP Nash

7. D Ramdin +

8. J E Taylor

9. S J Benn

10. FH Edwards

11. LS Baker

2nd Test 14-19 May, 2009

Chester-le-Street, Durham

Toss:ENG batted

Res: ENG inns & 83 runs

ENG’s 13 included Ian Bell and Ryan Sidebottom and left out Panesar in anticipation of another seamer friendly wicket. In the end, ENG made no changes to the team from Lord’s. WI made no changes either.

Tons for Cook (160) and Bopara (108, 3^rd consec) gave ENG’s seamers a platform with only Edwards fiery spell giving any discomfort. Sarwan’s 100 could not prevent a follow-on; Anderson 5-87. Gayle got a quick 50, but otherwise only Chanderpaul 47 offered resistance as Anderson (MoM for 9 wkts) got another 4-38 and Bresnan got first 3 test wickets.

ENG 569 – 6 dec

WI 310

WI 176

ENG