CRICKET:ENGLAND HEAD into the final day of the third Test against West Indies seven wickets away from a victory that would tie the five-match series at 1-1.
England captain Andrew Strauss set West Indies a mammoth target of 503 to win after declaring at 221 for eight at the Antigua Recreation Ground, and then picked up three wickets as the hosts reached 143 for three at the close.
West Indies need a further 360 to win with Ramnaresh Sarwan 47 not out and Shivnarine Chanderpaul undefeated on 18.
The wickets of openers Devon Smith and Chris Gayle along with Ryan Hinds cast aside any dreams West Indies had of a record run chase.
Graeme Swann claimed the prize wicket of West Indies captain Gayle.
Off-spinner Swann, who claimed a maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings, trapped the aggressive Gayle leg before wicket for the second dismissal of the three in the evening session.
Fast bowler Steve Harmison made the first inroad when he pinned Devon Smith back against his stumps from around the wicket.
Swann followed that up by outfoxing Gayle in the flight, to defeat an attempted sweep five overs later.
England were then gifted a third success when Ryan Hinds tamely chipped a delivery from Stuart Broad straight to mid-on.
Earlier, captain Andrew Strauss called off the run charge as soon as his team’s lead went beyond the 500 mark.
Opener Alastair Cook weighed in with his second half-century of the match while Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen also committed themselves to a dash for quick runs.
Never has a side chased a score in excess of 500 to win a Test match, although the record was recorded on this ground by West Indies six years ago when they made 418 to defeat Australia.
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