Ambrose joins the 400 club

He had Mike Atherton caught by Brian Lara for six to become only the fifth bowler in Test history to reach the landmark following New Zealand's Sir Richard Hadlee, India's Kapil Dev, fellow West Indian Courtney Walsh and Pakistan's Wasim Akram.

Ambrose now lies fifth in the all-time Test wicket taking list, seven wickets behind Wasim. Walsh is top of the table with 472 wickets. "It's always a nice feeling to take wickets in Test cricket whether it's your first or your 400th," said the giant 36-year-old Antiguan fast bowler after the close.

England finished the day on 105 for five, 67 behind West Indies first innings 172. Ambrose said that having Atherton as his 400th wicket was particularly pleasant.

"Alec Stewart and Atherton have been around for a while and we've had some good battles over the years. No disrespect to the other England batsman but after I'd taken my first wicket I thought it would be nice to get either Atherton or Stewart. "I was not more fired up than normal. It's a nice feeling to get there, not too many guys have done it and it's a nice feeling to join an elite group.

"At the time it felt great but I leave my job on the cricket field." Ambrose insisted this performance had not changed his decision to retire from Test cricket at the end of this tour.

"I know I'm bowling well. I'm still holding my own but there comes a time when you have to stop." Now Ambrose insists he has only one aim remaining. "The only thing left for me now is to win this Test and for West Indies to win the series.

"It would mean a lot to West Indies cricket because we haven't done well in recent years on overseas tours."

Mail Cricket Editor