Anderson strikes to give England hope of win

2nd Test, day 3: England 569-6 dec are 475 runs ahead of the West Indies (94-3). James Anderson got three wickets for 36 after tea to give England hope of a 2-0 Test series victory over the West Indies despite Friday’s washout at the Riverside stadium.

However, questions will be raised as to whether captain Andrew Strauss really needed to waste valuable time by forcing England to continue batting after reaching 513, when Prior was dismissed.

Earlier in the day, with England resuming on 302-2, Alastair Cook had posted his debut Test 150. His partnership with Kevin Pietersen made 84 before he was caught by Chris Gayle, while Pietersen was caught by Simmons just one run short of his 50.

English batsmen were given an easy ride as the pitch dried out. West Indies’ fielding was poor, with their wicketkeeper Dinesh Ramdin spilling chances to catch Anderson, Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior. Prior and Collingwood both posted half centuries, with Prior hitting eight fours in the course on the way to his total of 63.

After tea, Anderson accounted for Devon Smith, Chris Gayle (a harsh lbw decision) and Lendl Simmons in a mere six overs.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYINGVic Marks, the Observer: Do not pretend this was Test cricket as we know it or want it. For all the carefree heaving of the England middle order, there was more tension to be found in a plate of blancmange than at Chester-le-Street while England were batting. Euphemistically, this was carnival cricket, except the temperature only just crept into the teens and there was very little evidence the boys from the Caribbean were enjoying this carnival... this pitch is another encountered by these teams that is far from ideal for Test cricket; it lacks the pace required for a truly diverting contest.

Scyld Berry, Sunday Telegraph: As a preparation for the series against Australia, this Test match has been as much use as a polar expedition ahead of desert warfare. England’s team bonding has been worthwhile, but the terrain and the enemy have been too alien to make it a proper rehearsal. On Monday the West Indians will concede the Wisden Trophy with a shrug of cold shoulders; the Australians will give everything to retain the Ashes. ·