Yep without these two - England would have been in a bit of the deep stuff.

If the West Indies want to win a test, the only way is for them to be bowled out with - say 180 runs in front, and maybe 35 - 40 overs left, if Chiv and Bravo play to form this series, the game will limp on to be drawn.

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Ern

Yes and Collingwood batted in a way i didnt think he could. He took the initiative away from the West Indies and imposed himself on them. I never though that he (or Bell) could do this but finally he has.

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Mark.

Unless we get Chanderpaul out in the first ten minutes, a draw is on the cards.

<states the obvious>

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Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi

I was in the Riverside yesterday, and apart from the constant din of the 'Barmy Army' continually asking for Collymore to wave at them, Gayle to dance for them or to tell the rest of the ground that they were 'having a disco' the ground was completely devoid of atmosphere. There was hardly anyone there, £35 (or £25 to sit in the temporary stand with the Barmy army) to get in (even if you decided to turn up at 2 o'clock) it struck me like watching a saturday afternoon club game down the local field. To cap this, the period of play between lunch and tea had to be the worst bowling performance I have EVER seen at test level. I accept that having no Bravo was a problem, but the bowling of Samuels and Gayle along with 'Fast' bowling of around 75 mph-80mph for two hours was awful. Collinwood and Prior simply filled their boots up like they could not imagine (how Chris Read must have been crying into his soup once again - as Gerraint Jones' baptism was of similar ease).

I did not see one West Indian fan in the ground. This was a clear problem for the atmosphere (who chose to give them a test match in Chester le Street????). I sat near the Durham members who I presume enjoyed the sight of one of their players scoring a century, but to be honest, the whole experience was hugely underwhelming. But nonetheless, I love cricket, so will do it again and again.

The ground has seemed empty. I wonder what contribution the weather has made to that? Ticket sales for internationals are normally good at Durham.

Onto todays play I see that Gayle has got himself out again - a typical standthere and heave. When will he realise that this method is not conducive to sucesfull test match opening. Whilst he may come off every now and again he's becoming a liability to the team.

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Mark.

Tea, with England 24-1 chasing 110 to win. Can't see any result but an England victory now. The West Indies have fought well, but that session yesterday when Prior and Collingwood were allowed to cruise for twenty overs effectively ended the West Indies chances.

Panesar takes another 5fer, his strike rate must be up there with some of the best ever spinners at the start of the career.

Judging only from the radio commentary, the crowds were fair on Saturday and Sunday. Surely no-one would expect a big turn out on a Monday, even if it is the fourth day? I'd put the blame on this back-to-back scheduling which forces a Friday start in some cases. That will tend to ensure empty grounds for days four and five, rather than just day five as would be encouraged by a Thursday start. (Just think about your own days off work: you'd rather book a Thursday and Friday, I guess, knowing that there is likely to be cricket on days one and two, than you would a Monday and Tuesday, which, being days four and five, could prove unnecessary. Or at least I'm sure I would!)

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

So, there we have it: England won by seven wickets and won the series 3-0.

And what do we remember of it all? Sadly, all rather forgettable as a series, I fear. I do hope we will see more of a competition between England and the West Indies next time they meet.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

I suppose this is just like the 80's in reverse. They were rather one sided as well!

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Mark.

After the last eight months I would of thought it wasn't to bad. I think if England had struggled against this side it would of added more woe. Its time England had some easy cricket.
Lets look forward to India.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction