England win inside three days

Date released: 8 May 2009

England seal victory inside three days of the npower Test match at Lord's - beating West Indies by 10 wickets.

Match summary

Eng: 377 & 32-0
WI: 152 & 256
England win by 10 wickets

Batsmen: Andrew Strauss (14) & Alastair Cook (14)
Bowlers: Pavilion End: Fidel Edwards
Nursery End: Jerome Taylor

6:26pm npower Man-of-the-match goes to: Graeme Swann. Six wickets plus that important half-century in the first innings. He edges out Onions and Bopara who both played extremely well too.

6:21pm Thanks for enjoying the Test match with Lords.org - assuming you did enjoy it and aren't a saddened West Indies fan.

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Over-by-over

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6:04pm 7th over: Four more runs to win, this could be the last over of the match.

The captain hits the winning runs from the first ball of the over. Four runs and England seal victory.

England win by 10 wickets

6:00pm 6th over: Six o'clock rolls around and England need 17 runs to win.

What a great match it has been though. When England went from 92-1 to 109-4 on the first day, West Indies were well on top. Who'd have thought then, that England would have tied this up in three days?

Meanwhile, back on the field of play - Cook hooks Taylor for four. Just ten more needed for victory.

Make that six. Strauss has to skip over it at the non-striker's end but it's four more for Cook.

5:54pm 5th over: Two runs from the previous over mean England need 18 runs to win now. Nothing spectacular from the England batsmen but then there needn't be. Chasing a total of 32 it would be silly to throw away your wicket.

Edwards and Taylor certainly aren't going to make it easy. They have their own bowling figures to think of, not to mention their professional pride.

5:50pm 4th over: 20 more runs needed now.

5:43pm 3rd over: England need 25 more runs to win. Make that 24 after another no-ball from Edwards. Cook's off the mark at last.

5:39pm 2nd over: Jerome Taylor will do the honours from the Nursery End.

Full and wide from Taylor and Strauss hits it for four through the covers.

5:32pm 1st over: Fidel Edwards will bowl from the Pavilion End. A tough gig this and a thankless one. Barring a miracle of record-shattering proportions, the Windies are bowling towards defeat.

Not wanting to get ahead of myself but who would be your pick for man-of-the-match? Bopara? Onions? Swann? What do you think? Send us your emails.

5:25pm There's the five minute bell again - England out to bat again soon, needing 32 runs to win.

5:21pm 73rd over: Nash sends a towering one skywards... everyone holds their breath...

Cook takes the catch! That's the innings over and surely the match?

West Indies 256 all out - Nash c. Cook b. Broad - 81

England will bat again, needing just 31 runs. This should be a Test victory wrapped up in three days.

5:18pm 72nd over: Swann v Baker again - possibly for a whole over this time.

Baker swings wildly at the last ball of the over but totally misses it.

5:14pm 71st over: Nash is given one again - and three more balls for Baker to face, this time from Broad. Baker gets runs from the first one - two of them.

Next one beats the bat. Ironic cheers for a pause in play as some tinfoil(?) blows onto the field.

James Anderson is on litter patrol again to more cheers. It looks like one of those foil balloons perhaps? Either way, it's gone now.

5:10pm 70th over: One more for Nash brings on Swann v Baker for a possible three balls. Three balls which, once again, Baker survives. Gritty stuff this from Baker.

5:06pm 69th over: Nash fends it up and Broad is diving for a caught and bowled chance... his team-mates are celebrating but Broad's not claiming it. It bounced just before he got there. Good honest fielding from Broad - well played.

Baker survives the last three balls of that over.

5:03pm 68th over: Nash seems to be more protective of Baker. A misfield gives a chance of a single which they don't take.

They can't run two there but the single brings up 250 for West Indies.

4:55pm 67th over: Same again for England one would assume, offering Nash the single to expose Edwards to Broad. Yes, there it is, one run from an edge through the slips. Potentially four balls for Edwards to face.

First one has Edwards on his toes, leaning back out of the way of more short-pitched bowling.

Second one's got him! He couldn't get out of the way of that one and a diving catch by Bresnan completes the wicket.

West Indies 249-9 - Edwards c. Bresnan b. Broad - 2

Edwards' departure means Baker has to face the last two balls of the over. Baker survives.

4:51pm 66th over: England give Nash the single again and Swann's now bowling to Benn.

Got him! Benn swings and misses and Swann hits... his off stump.

West Indies 246-8 - Benn b. Swann - 0

Fidel Edwards comes out to bat, just one ball left in the over - which he hits for two runs.

4:45pm 65th over: Nash is obviously confident in Benn. First ball from Broad he jabs away for a single, exposing the new batsman to Broad's 90mph bowling.

Broad's trying to rough-up the tail-ender with some short stuff. Four slips and a gully in place. Benn survives but not without a steely glare from Broad.

4:40pm 64th over: Good shot from Taylor, stepping down the pitch to Swann and delivering it back past him for four runs.

But now Taylor's out! LBW to Swann who's delighted.

West Indies 243-7 - Taylor LBW b. Swann - 15

4:34pm 63rd over: Broad remains at the Pavilion End and he'll bowl to fellow quick bowler, Taylor to start with. Taylor's playing and missing to "Ooohs" from behind the stumps.

A good shot from Taylor gives Pietersen a long chase to the mid wicket boundary - but he makes. Good fielding.

4:32pm 62nd over: Here we go again - Swann on at the Nursery End. Can England wrap this up in this final session?

Another single from Taylor officially moves the Windies into the lead. Nash is finding gaps with skill again, four runs.

Got him at last
- click for more photos 4:15pm Here's that breakthrough wicket in photographic form. Stuart Broad celebrates, arm in the air, after bowling Denesh Ramdin. Click on the photo to see more of our great match action shots.

4:10pm That's tea and the late gate is open. £15 to get in for the last session of the day - free if you're under-16.

4:05pm 61st over: Broad's celebrating, he thinks that one caught Taylor's bat and looped into Cook's hand. The umpire says no... and once again TV replays back up the officials. It hit Taylor's helmet, not his bat.

That single from Taylor brings the West Indies level.

4:02pm 60th over: Taylor's off the mark with a two.

3:55pm 59th over: First ball of that over from Broad and Nash cuts it away for four runs - both batsmen accelerating into the 60s now.

Excuse my being partisan but... at last! Broad zips one through Ramdin and the bails fly, he's out!

West Indies 222-6 - Ramdin b. Broad - 61

Credit to Ramdin - he batted very, very well for more than two hours. Warm applause all around Lord's. The Windies need just three more runs to make England bat again.

Thorns in England's side: Nash and Ramdin celebrate 50s - click for more photos 3:50pm 58th over: Another double bowling change - Swann's back again, from the Nursery End this time.

Good running between the wickets moves the Windies to within eight of England's total.

3:45pm 57th over: Stuart Broad is on at the Pavilion End.

Nash waits patiently for one that he can hit and when it comes, he hits it for four.

3:41pm 56th over: They've been batting for over two hours now, Nash and Ramdin. Coming up on 200 balls faced too. Two excellent innings.

And an excellent shot from Ramdin - back down the Ground again for four. A textbook drive.

Four byes add to Onions' frustration but bring up 200 for the West Indies. Hands-up - when they wobbled at 79-5, who thought they may not make it to this point?

3:37pm 55th over: Nash is there with a four too - great shot. More generous applause around Lord's - these two are batting brilliantly together.

3:33pm 54th over: A single for Ramdin - he inches ahead of Nash, moving to 47 runs. One for Nash too makes it 47-all.

Ramdin's there first - a lusty cut shot for four - warmly applauded by all at Lord's. A great innings, possibly helping the West Indies back into the match.

Late gate ticket news

As on previous days: arrive after the tea interval (4:10pm today) and you can get in for the last session of the day for just £15 - or for free if you're under-16. Under or over, you'll need to get a ticket from the North Gate in Wellington Place.

40 minutes to go, head for Lord's now. This match is finely poised.

3:30pm 53rd over: Both batsmen on 46 runs... who'll make 50 first? Or can England get one of them out?

3:25pm 52nd over: Strauss has a long chat to Onions ahead of this over. It probably went something like this: "Just get me a wicket Graham, please?"

Back down the ground from Ramdin - a game chase from Broad who just cannot stop the ball in time. Four.

Width from Onions and pure power from Ramdin who batters that one away for four more. Loud, appreciative applause from the knowledgable crowd at Lord's for the 100 partnership. These two really are playing well.

Oh - but there's a dropped chance. Onions from his own bowling - Ramdin dinked it back to him and Onions just couldn't adjust from his follow-through to catch it.

3:22pm 51st over: Four around the bat again - the two Essex boys, Cook and Bopara and short leg and silly point respectively. A slip (Collingwood) and the 'keeper, Prior.

It doesn't help for that shot as Nash finds a gap and the boundary rope again.

3:18pm 50th over: Scurried singles continue to frustrate Onions and England.

Good shot from Nash, four more runs for him into the off side for the left-hander. He moves back ahead of Ramdin in their private race to their half-centuries.

3:17pm Don't worry, we haven't forgotten the late gate ticket news. With the adjustment of the tea interval the Ticket Office will be publishing any news shortly. As ever, you'll read it here first.

3:14pm 49th over: Just three men around the bat for this over from Swann - he had four previously.

3:10pm 48th over: Onions is back in the attack as England chop and change, desperately seeking the next wicket.

Ramdin helps himself to a boundary now and that brings up the 150 for the West Indies. At one point that seemed a long way away.

Ramdin's ahead now, four more from the last ball of the over - making an ugly dent in Onions bowling figures.

It's disappearing in the rear-view mirror now - four more for Ramdin and he moves to within one of Nash in their personal duel.

3:06pm 47th over: Graeme Swann returns to the bowling attack - from the Pavilion End.

Four runs for Nash - he's moved well ahead of Ramdin on the scoreboard now.

3:04pm 46th over: A single nudged away by Nash, the scoreboard ticking over again.

2:59pm 45th over: Bresnan, refreshed by a drink, resumes from the Pavilion End.

Official word on the tea break - delayed until 4:10pm, as a result of the late start this morning.

Nash is suddenly looking supremely confident, playing an improvised "upper cut" shot to Bresnan for four.

2:57pm I've just looked up Ravi Bopara's best Test bowling figures: 1-39 against Sri Lanka. Oh dear. Still one wicket would be plenty at the moment - Nash and Ramdin are really digging in.

I know it's not as "sexy" as when the likes of Onions are rattling through the wickets but I love this sort of cricket. One team really pushing for a result and the other being gritty, determined and resilient. Thoroughly enjoyable Test cricket.

2:55pm That's drinks.

So what do you think? Send us your emails. Surely the unthinkable cannot happen - the West Indies can't save it from here, can they?

Put yourself in Andrew Strauss's shoes - what would you do to get the next wicket? Email us your ideas.

2:51pm 44th over: England are looking to force the issue - so another bowling change. Day one's batting hero Ravi Bopara comes on to bowl.

Another delicately placed shot from Nash goes for four and that's the fifty partnership for these two.

2:46pm 43rd over: A momentary break in play as a plastic bag, blowing around on the field in front of the Pavilion, distracts Ramdin. Anderson "fields" it and hands it to a helpful MCC Member.

Another maiden for Bresnan's bowling figures. Decent bowling combined with unadventurous batting. Make no mistake, the West Indies are under no obligation to give their wickets away - this is smart, defensive batting. Good cricket.

2:43pm 42nd over: Broad bowls a maiden over now, Ramdin ducking out of the way of the last ball of that over.

Nash and Ramdin doing a good job of frustrating England at the moment.

Bresnan bowls on debut - click for more photos 2:38pm 41st over: Bresnan "blemished" for the first time in what seems a long while - a single for Nash.

2:33pm 40th over: England captain Andrew Strauss has seen enough - he wants wickets. He brings back quick bowler Stuart Broad to bowl from the Nursery End.

That breaks the cycle of maidens - four runs for Nash - well played, hitting a loose one from Broad on the half-volley.

Good placement through the field brings another four - Denesh Ramdin this time with some smart batting.

2:29pm 39th over: More unblemished over bowling from Bresnan. A maiden.

2:29pm Some more translations for those of you not familiar with cricketing terms. A maiden over is an over (six balls) bowled by a bowler, without conceeding any runs. A maiden, unblemished - you see?

"Inside the circle": during one-day matches, there is a circle marked out approximately half way from the wicket to the boundary - it's used for fielding restrictions in the one-day game.

Entertainment, updates and an education? Stay with Lords.org!

2:26pm 38th over: Every fielder inside the circle for this over from Swann - they're trying to tempt Nash to hit over them.

Another maiden over - nice for the bowling figures but England need wickets really. The West Indies would happily bat out a day filled with maiden overs.

2:23pm 37th over: Ramdin takes a big swipe at the first ball of this Bresnan over - and completely misses it.

A maiden over from Bresnan, well bowled.

2:19pm 36th over: It's a double bowling change as Graeme replaces Graham - Swann on at the Nursery End.

2:15pm 35th over: Tim Bresnan joins the attack, from the Pavilion End. He's been somewhat outshone by his fellow debutant, Onions, so far.

That four for Nash of the first ball of the over won't help matters much.

It must be tricky for Bresnan. He'll be delighted to be part of an England team that's doing so well but will surely be eager to make his mark on the match to secure his place in the side.

2:10pm 34th over: From the other end, it's Onions and Nash now but the same result - the bowler making the batsman play and miss.

A little width offered and gladly accepted by Ramdin who hits it for four to bring up 100 for West Indies.

Four more for Ramdin - hooking Onions past a diving Alastair Cook at square leg.

2:07pm 33rd over: Ramdin takes a walk to sqaure leg after playing and missing yet again. This is definitely a time for a cool head for the West Indies batsmen.

2:02pm 32nd over: Onions, bowling from the Nursery End, spoke yesterday about having to adjust his run-up for the wind. He's bowling directly into it. It's hardly a howling gale but strong enough to make difference.

A muted appeal for LBW there, Onions against Nash - but stiffled by England before the umpire even has to contemplate it. Words of encouragement for Onions from Broad - four years Onions' junior but far more experienced at Test level.

1:57pm 31st over: A chance there... zip from Anderson, an edge from Nash and it went between second and third slip. Swann (at third slip) dived but missed it. It runs for four.

The wind picks up again, still coming across Lord's from the west.

1:53pm 30th over: More runs off his pads for Nash - more byes and he's still on a big zero on the scoreboards.

A fuller ball from Onions but not full enough. Ramdin volleys that through mid wicket for four.

1:49pm 29th over: Matt Prior, the wicketkeeper really is a bundle of energy. He positively sprints from wicket to wicket at the end of the over.

1:43pm 28th over: Onions remains the bowler from the Nursery End. In the form he's in it would be a brave call to take him out of the attack now!

Ramdin plays and misses - Onions still looks very dangerous and as if to prove it he rips another clean through Ramdin who just cannot adjust to the pace.

He timed that one nicely though, pulling Onions into the leg side for a smart four. Good shot.

1:40pm 27th over: James Anderson, at the Pavilion End, to get us under way again - Ramdin on strike.

A glance to fine leg has the wicketkeeper/batsman off the mark.

1:38pm Here come the players again. England on the field nice and early, keen to wrap things up, no doubt.

1:15pm Have your creative juices dried up already? Or are you all grabbing a quick bite whilst you can - not wanting to miss what should hopefully be a wicket-filled afternoon session?

Keep your emails coming in: send us your emails. Questions, comments, your Onions puns we'll take them all. Can no-one come up with a Graham/Graeme pun? Is "Golden Graham's" too obvious - or just factually incorrect given their different spelling?

Surely you can do better: send us your emails.

Wow - is that lunch already? Time flies when you're having fun and England are having bags of it. Dare I say Onions bags?

West Indies are 80-5 at lunch, still 145 runs behind, with two men at the crease on nought.

We're still collecting your pun efforts, inspired by the flurry of Onions puns in the 'papers this morning. Send us your emails.

12:55pm 26th over: The Windies are exactly 150 runs behind, four wickets down. Can they bat on for long enough to make a game of it?

Smith clearly thinks so and he cuts Onions for four. He's chasing a half-century.

Not any more he's not! A fuller length from Onions and Smith's middle stump is out of the ground!

West Indies 79-5 - Smith b. Onions - 41

Three wickets for nine runs in just 12 balls. The West Indies are teetering on the brink here. Onions had Ramdin trapped LBW in the first innings. With two wickets to his name already this morning he must be feeling confident.

12:49pm 25th over: Another bowling change by England, Andy in Edinburgh's favourite (see below): Graeme Swann, replaces Anderson at the Pavilion End.

Can Graham and Graeme bowl England to within sight of victory? Short leg and a silly point fielder in place, one slip too.

Chanderpaul's off the mark, avoiding the dreaded pair (two ducks, one in each innings). That one runs away for four.

Maybe that pair was playing on his mind! He relaxed there - inside edge, onto his pads and Bopara takes the catch at silly point!

West Indies 75-4 - Chanderpaul c. Bopara b. Swann - 4

12:42pm 24th over: A big appeal from Onions! He wants Simmons LBW. The umpire gently shakes his head and the TV replays show it was hitting him rather high.

No question this time! Onions has his man. Simmons clips at that one and Alastair Cook takes the catch at square leg.

West Indies 70-3 - Simmons c. Cook b. Onions - 21

That short shower has passed too, replaced by more brilliant sunshine. Lord's is looking glorious and England's hopes of victory aren't looking too bad either.

The unmistakable "Shiv" Chanderpaul at the crease now, famously an immovable object when he beds in. England will want to unsettle him early if they can.

12:38pm 23rd over: A maiden from Anderson now as England turn the screw.

Looks like that shower over Maida Vale has reached us though - that odd combination of blazing sun and showery rain at the moment.

12:32pm 22nd over: Puns at the ready - here comes Onions, on for Broad at the Nursery End.

Onions' first ball and he beats Simmons for pace, striking him on the helmet. He's not hurt though - not physically at least, but an intimidating start from Onions.

Simmons is trying to hook another short one from Onions - and completely misses it. A maiden over from Onions - a great start to his second day as a Test bowler.

12:27pm 21st over: The rain is light at the moment and we're playing on, for now.

Brollies down again! It was just a shower. Well done the umpires.

Looks like more rain in the distance, behind the Pavilion towards Maida Vale. The stiff breeze is coming from the west too (from Pavilion to Nursery). Let's hope it rains itself out before it gets here.

12:23pm 20th over: Smith powers that one from Broad for another four. An almost dismissive stroke to lift it over the mid on fielder - it runs down the slope right to the rope.

Uh-oh... brollies up in the Grand Stand. The rain is falling again. One ball left in the over.

12:20pm 19th over: A bit too wide that one from Anderson, Simmons steps aside and even a diving Prior can't stop it going down the leg-side for four byes.

Simmons makes sure that one goes to his total - standing up to drive Anderson through the covers for another boundary.

12:16pm 18th over: A ducking hook shot from Smith brings him four runs - pace and lift for Broad though, some encouragement at least.

Fifty up for West Indies.

12:14pm 17th over: A decent over for Anderson too but he didn't really make the Windies batsmen play. With the match as it is, they'll be happy to leave anything they don't have to hit. A maiden over.

12:12pm Another Onions pun effort and another from one of our many female cricket fans:

Amanda in Saffron Walden says: "Will West Indies be pickled by Onions today?"

Here's hoping Amanda - who also wanted to say "hi" to her husband Simon. A done deal Amanda, a fair trade: your headline writing for a hello. Hope you're enjoying the coverage.

12:11pm The emails are flooding in for our fun "Onions pun" email contest:

Andy in Edinburgh thinks Onions' performance rather over shadowed another great bowling display: "Onions perfect complement to dish of the day. Swann."

Onions and swan Andy? Sounds like something Heston Blumenthal might cook up!

12:07pm 16th over: A good, tight over from Broad, just one run from it.

12:02pm 15th over: There's no "opening with spin" plan today for England. It will be James Anderson from the Pavilion End.

A couple of quick singles mean it's all change, all change for the England fielders - one of the drawbacks to having one left-hander (Smith) and one right-hander (Simmons) at the crease.

Pietersen moves to mid off - perhaps we're reading too much into this.

12noon 14th over: Stuart Broad recommences the England attack, bowling from the Pavilion End. First ball and Simmons clips it off his legs for four.

Only one man back on the rope for that opening over of the day and it's Kevin Pietersen at a fine-ish long leg. Not a usual position to find "KP" - more of a hint at the possible knee injury we thought we saw yesterday?

11:57am Umpires on the field... and here come England to warm applause from a rapidly filling Lord's.

Smith and Simmons trot down the Pavilion steps shortly after them. Here we go folks.

11:55am MCC World Cricket Committee Chairman, Tony Lewis rings the five-minute bell - which is how far away we are from England looking to wring the remaining life out of the West Indies batting.

11:49am The midday start is officially confirmed - the whispers we heard were well-ahead of the game. About ten minutes until we resume then.

West Indies, with Smith and Simmons at the crease, are on 39-2 still 186 runs behind.

11:34am Another entry in our "Onions pun" email contest:

Shaban in London suggests: "West Indies need shallots of rain to keep Graham at bay!"

Very topical Shaban, excellent. They may need the rain but it doesn't look like they'll get it. We're looking good for a midday start.

11:30am The umpires are heading out soon to inspect the pitch. Word is they are aiming for a start at midday. Good news.

11:20am Things looking much better out there now. The last cover is being packed away and the England team are on the field warming-up. I can even see blue skies heading this way from behind the Pavilion. Marvellous.

When we have an official start time, I'll let you know.

11:15am As the super-efficient Groundstaff "skim" the outfield with a rope to dry the surface; whilst more fold away the giant covers we've had our first entry into the email "Onions pun" competition:

"Triumph proves selectors know their Onions" - says Claire in Cambridge.

Not a bad effort Claire. Reference perhaps to West Indies skipper Mr. Gayle saying he didn't know "Onion"? Very good.

Think you can do better? Send us your emails.

11:07am Tick-tock... 11 o'clock rolls past. The good news is, the groundstaff are removing the covers! The famous Lord's hover-cover sponsored (in a stroke of marketing genius) by Sure "Keeping you dry this summer" is being used to blow the covers up to help clear the standing water. Good work by the groundstaff.

Hopefully we'll get started sooner rather than later. News here when we have it.

10:32am There are an array of Onions-puns on the back pages of this morning's newspapers. Which is your favourite? Pick your favourite.

The Independent "Green Onions leaves Windies in a pickle"
The Star "Onions is so tasty"
The Sun "5 in the Onions bag"
The Daily Telegraph "Cheers and Onions"
The Mirror online "West Indies turned to mincemeat by debutant Onions"
The Guardian "Onions brings tears to Windies' eyes"

Only The Times resisted the urge to make a back page Onions related pun (though there are plenty inside). Their back page cricket headline? "Gayle blown away as England move to the brink of victory". Top marks for being different but a poor effort I think.

Which is your favourite? Send us your Onions-puns: Send us an email.

10:16am The wind is picking up around Lord's, snapping the flags against their masts. Hopefully this will help blow those rain clouds away and we can get started sooner rather than later.

With the covers still on, I think it's safe to say we'll have a delayed start. Fear not, we'll keep you entertained whilst we wait, stay with Lords.org.

9:55am If you were considering coming to Lord's today (there are still tickets available) and the rain is making you waver, fear not. There is a refund scheme.

If there are fewer than 10 overs (let's hope not!) because of bad weather ticket holders can get a full refund. Fewer than 24.5 overs and ticket holders can get a 50% refund. With tickets starting at just £25 there no reason not to come along today!

9:50am Still a few brollies up but the rain does seem to be easing. The Groundstaff are sweeping the standing water from the covers.

If any Groundstaff team and pitch can pull this off it'll be at Lord's. Head Groundsman Mick Hunt won a special commendation two years ago, after he and his team "saved" the England v India Test.

9:15am We're still just shy of two hours from the scheduled start and the Lord's outfield is famous for its fast-drying prowess.

Remember to send us your emails - are you a West Indies fan doing a rain-dance? Are you an England fan hoping for the resumption of "The Swann & Onions Show"? Tell us what you think.

9:10am Good morning everyone. An early start for us today but we have bad news I'm afraid.

It's raining at The Home of Cricket; the covers are on and there are large drops of rain dripping off the front of the Investec Media Centre.

Potential frustration for England who will be keen to finish the job they started so well yesterday.

The good news is the weather forecast is good - the rain is expected to pass, possibly return around lunch time but then we should have a dry afternoon. Fingers crossed England fans.