CRICKET FIRST TEST: THAT SEEMS to be that then. Another box ticked. In making a century in his inaugural Test match crack at first wicket down – his second in successive innings for England following his cavalier 106 in Barbados and the first at number three since Michael Vaughan at Lord's almost a year ago – Ravi Bopara has secured the position for the foreseeable future.
Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss acknowledged his Bridgetown effort, at number six, by leaving him out of the final Test as an expedient to include an extra bowler. It will take a stick of dynamite to shift him now. Australian bowlers can start making their plans forthwith.
Bopara completed his hundred not in the vogue manner of belting a six but in a much more pragmatic way by easing an easy single from the seamer Lionel Baker. No extravagant celebrations this time, though. In Bridgetown, he invoked Usain Bolt in his triumph. Here just upraised arms, a touch of the badge on his helmet and a message to his team-mates to get his name on the honours board tout de suite.
There was significance in this innings beyond the mere statistics, however, for it was not an easy romp in a huge total but something that underpinned an England innings. Without it, England would have collapsed in the face of top-flight pace bowling from the redoubtable Fidel Edwards who took four of the wickets to fall and deserved better.
England, put in by Chris Gayle, to extract what movement there might be on a pitch that will get better or to protect his own batsmen who have endured tough times in sappy early season conditions: take your choice, closed on 289 for seven. Bopara was undefeated on 118, hitting 14 fours, and Graeme Swann seven.
Dropped catches is an affliction that has cost West Indies dearly over recent years and it shows no signs of abating. Denesh Ramdin set a high benchmark with a wonderful catch to dismiss Kevin Pietersen first ball, and Devon Smith at second slip took a smart low chance to get rid of Paul Collingwood. Two other routine chances, to the keeper and extra cover, saw the back of Strauss for 16 and Matt Prior for 42. But there inspiration ended.
Twice Bopara escaped, on 76 when the reliable Brendan Nash dropped him at square leg off Edwards as he clipped uppishly off his legs, and shortly after his century when Smith missed him at second slip from Baker.
Stuart Broad, promoted in the order beyond his current capability, received extraordinary benevolence during his 38. Try as he might he could not get out. Four times, on 9, 13, 32 and 37 Broad was given a reprieve before finally he chopped a catch to backward point which Jerome Taylor clutched. All six spilled chances came in the final session, which says something about the concentration levels, or the tea.
Guardian Service
SCOREBOARD
ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS
A J Straussc Ramdin b Taylor 16
A N Cookb Edwards 35
R S Boparanot out 83
K P Pietersenc Ramdin b Edwards 0
P D Collingwoodc D S Smith b Edwards 8
M J Priorc Simmons b Edwards 42
S C J Broadnot out 1
Extras (b1 w3 nb5 pens 0) 9
Total(5 wkts, 61.2 overs) 194
Fall of wickets:1-28 2-92 3-92 4-109 5-193.
To Bat:T T Bresnan, G P Swann, J M Anderson, G Onions.
Bowling:Taylor 13 2 45 1 Edwards 12 2 39 4 Baker 11 4 27 0 Benn 17 2 57 0 Nash 2 1 2 0 Simmons 4.2 1 18 0 Gayle 2 0 5 0.
