So, England now can't win the series it was widely expected they'd breeze through, but the Chris Gayle's men have provided a sterner test than most predicted and I for one am pleased to see the West Indies producing good cricketers again.
The shambles that was the 51 all out aside, there hasn't been an awful lot wrong with the batting. Andrew Strauss has looked like he's enjoyed the responsibility of leading from the front. Alistair Cook has made runs and got the century monkey of his back. Paul Collingwood has been in sublime form and Ravi Bopara made an impressive return to the test side. Questions still remain about the number three spot; Ian Bell looks horribly out of form and Owais Shah certainly hasn't cemented his place in the team.
It has been the bowling attack that has let England down, no question about that. I for one think we might be seeing the end of Steve Harmison's test career, he simply can't get chance-after-chance anymore. Ryan Sidebottom, while clearly not fit, has looked decisively under-par. Monty Panesar may well have a real fight on his hands to claim back his test shirt after Graeme Swann's impressive form. Jimmy Anderson has bowled well given that the Caribbean rarely helps genuine swing bowlers. Stuart Broad has seen his already lofty stock continue to rise with some fine bowling. He is Andrew Flintoff's natural replacement when Freddie calls it a day with test cricket - which I suspect could well be after this summer's Ashes.
So in a game that England need to win to tie-up the series, what will they do? Prior has already been told he's going to be recalled, this will mean there is a decision to make over the number three spot again. I'd like to see Kevin Pieterson promoted to that spot and see Bopara keep his place with Shah the man to miss out. In the bowling attack, groundsmen in Trinidad have hinted at there being some swing which will please Anderson. I'd like to see Adil Rashid given a test start, playing Monty in this test will teach the selectors nothing, Monty needs to go back to his county and remember how to bowl like he did when he burst on to the scene with all sorts of potential. With Sidebottom looking little threat and Harmison looking uniterested could there be a case of handing Amjad Khan his debut. I'd certainly like to think so.
Prediction? I'm going for another draw and a series defeat for Strauss' men. Sadly.
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