CRICKET TEST MATCH: PAUL COLLINGWOOD and Ravi Bopara propelled England to the quite formidable first innings total of 600 declared on the second day of the fourth Test here yesterday.
Bopara struck a maiden Test hundred at the Kensington Oval as England posted their highest score for five-and-a-half years.
Essex’s Bopara fell for 104, hooking to fine leg, ironically caught by Jerome Taylor, the man who dropped him when he had 100 runs fewer this morning.
After the early loss of Kevin Pietersen for 41, lbw to the deserving Fidel Edwards, a decision he contested (and lost) with the third umpire, England, consolidating at first and then picking up the rate. Collingwood was on 96.
Collingwood was within touching distance of his ninth Test hundred but, more pertinently for someone who always seems to be playing for his place, he had his fourth century in 11 innings in sight when he attempted some grandstanding by trying to belt Edwards over the bowler’s head.
The resultant slice to deep point was comfortably held by Brendan Nash. Collingwood hung his head.
Bopara, on his reintroduction to Test cricket after more than a year, survived an early chance, and went to reach his century before also falling victim to Edwards on 104.
A fumbling effort by Jerome Taylor which reprieved Pietersen, then 20, shortly before stumps on the first day, had the potential to prove costly.
So with the second new ball just six overs old when play resumed, it was imperative for West Indies that they made best use of it, and for England to see it off.
From the outset, Edwards, wickedly fast at times, and the skilful Taylor – working the ball from a full length to produce away-swing into a steady breeze from third man, offset by cut into the right handers – made life difficult for Pietersen and Collingwood with Pietersen looking a candidate for lbw at any time.
However, it was Edwards rather than Taylor who made the initial breach in the day’s sixth over. Pietersen had contrived to work a fast away-swinger from off stump through midwicket for four, a shot that drew gasps as if recognising the audacity and quickness of eye.
The next ball was full still but this time homed in on middle, striking Pietersen on the knee roll.
Bopara was playing his first Test innings since a disastrous tour of Sri Lanka a year ago.
Rarely lacking in confidence (to outward appearance anyway) immediately he tried to seize the initiative as Edwards tested him out with some short stuff.
Bopara duly took up the challenge, not generally the sort of thing that would have been considered wise on this ground two or three decades ago if unless batsmen had a yearning for a liquid diet.
On four, hooking with little control over the shot, he survived as Taylor fumbled the chance.
Bopara, the happy hooker, continued merrily to his century.
- GuardianService
