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May 26, 2007 (Link to Scorecard)

West Indies are on the brink of a heavy innings defeat courtesy of a magnificent double century from KP and a superb swing bowling effort from Ryan Sidebottom. The tourists were bundled out in just 37 overs in their first innings and in their last chance with the bat, following on, are not doing that well with 22 for 2 in the 9 overs bowled. Sidebottom has taken six out of the 11 wickets to fall. This was after England had declared its first innings at 570 for 7.

Ramnaresh Sarwan was in no position to bat for his side after injuring his shoulder badly during the first day's play. The injury happened during the fag end of the first day's play when Sarwan had dived heavily on his body to damage his collarbone. He had to leave the ground in an ambulance. It is doubtful that Sarwan will take any part in the ongoing test match and even his participation in the remaining two test matches and one dayers looks doubtful. Daren Ganga has taken over the captaincy in his absence. England added insult to injury to a side which is without its two big players - Sarwan and Chanderpaul. The homeside smashed 204 runs in just 37.3 overs in the second day's play losing just two wickets!

Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior took their partnership to 160. Prior was the first to go but not before he had done the damage with 75 from 99 balls with 9 fours. With the fall of Kevin Pietersen at the score of 570, Michael Vaughan declared the innings. Pietersen fell for 226 from just 262 balls with the help of 24 fours and two sixes. Liam Plunkett as well enjoyed his time in the middle by remaining unbeaten on 44 with 7 fours. For Pietersen, it was his career best score. The West Indian first innings began with a couple of thumping shots from Chris Gayle but left armer Ryan Sidebottom bowled an incredible delivery that trapped the leftie dead in front. This was Sidebottom's first test wicket as he had gone wicketless in the only test he had played six years back at Lord's. After that Gayle wicket, there was no looking back for the English bowlers as Windies collapsed in a heap. Harmison was also looking good with the extra bounce he was getting. There was just the one significant partnership of 45 between Devon Smith (26) and Sylvester Joseph for the third wicket. Bravo with 23 and Jerome Taylor with 23 not out were the other contributors in a paltry total of 146. Sidebottom bowled just the 12 overs for his four wickets. Harmison picked up two while Plunkett got three wickets. All the three pacers bowled 12 overs each leaving Monty Panesar just the one over.

Trailing behind by 424 runs and following on, West Indies have lost two wickets to Ryan Sidebottom to slip at 22 for 2. The batsmen, who are out are acting captain Daren Ganga and nightwatchman Daren Powell with both of them getting trapped lbw. Chris Gayle is the unbeaten batsman with 9. The match is expected to be wrapped up on the third day itself!

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