England struggle as technology dominates

CRICKET FIRST TEST:TECHNOLOGY DOMINATED at Sabina Park last night as England struggled for breakthroughs against West Indies in the first Test.

The umpire review system helped England gain an initial dismissal, but soon denied them a second and the hosts had ominously piled up 160 for one by the close of the second day.

Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan both struck unbeaten half-centuries to put their side well on the way to overhauling the tourists’ 318 all out.

Andrew Flintoff made the first incision, after being thrown the new ball, when New Zealand umpire Tony Hill’s initial decision to give Devon Smith not out from a leg-before appeal in the sixth over was overturned.

But the appliance of technology also scrubbed off a wicket for Steve Harmison, England’s hero here five years ago, who celebrated an early comeback success when Hill’s finger pointed skywards in answer to another lbw shout.

Hill, only standing in the contest because Sri Lankan official Asoka de Silva could not obtain a visa, adjudged Sarwan out after he was pinned on the back foot, but, after a ‘T’ sign from the batsman and a lengthy delay, a reprieve was granted.

Television umpire Daryl Harper advised that the ball, which struck the batsman above the knee role, would in his opinion be passing over the top of the stumps.

By that stage England had already lost one of their two challenges to umpiring calls – Flintoff erroneously contesting that one of his deliveries to Sarwan pitched on leg rather than outside.

And with West Indies captain Gayle watchful in defence and murderous in attack, the home team progressed serenely.

FIRST TEST, SECOND DAY

Overnight: England 236 for 5 (K Pietersen 97).

ENGLAND - First innings continued

A Flintoff c Nash b D Powell 43

M Prior c b Benn 64

S Broad c Benn b Taylor 4

R Sidebottom not out 26

S Harmison lbw b Taylor 7

M Panesar lbw b Benn 0

Extras (b7, lb8, nb7, pens 0) 22

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Total (122.2 overs) 318

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-31, 3-71, 4-94, 5-180, 6-241, 7-256, 8-288, 9-313.

Bowling: Taylor 20-4-74-3; Edwards 14-1-58-0; D Powell 20-5-54-2; Benn 44.2-13-77-4; Gayle 24-9-40-1.

WEST INDIES - First Innings

C Gayle not out 71

D Smith lbw b Flintoff 6

R Sarwan not out 74

Extras (b6, lb3, pens 0) 9

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Total 1 wkt (54 overs) 160

Fall of wickets: 1-18

To Bat: X Marshall, S Chanderpaul, B Nash, D Ramdin, J Taylor, D Powell, S Benn, F Edwards.

Bowling: Sidebottom 9-2-12-0; Flintoff 11-4-24-1; S J Harmison 7-0-20-0; Broad 8-1-36-0; Panesar 15-4-44-0; Pietersen 4-1-15-0.